Why are you interested in this position?
Long Beach is at a crossroads. The current City Prosecutor has failed to keep us safe. He has enriched himself year after year while allowing talented prosecutors to walk out his offices door. Low wages, a lack of interest in the work of his line deputies, and an ignorance of the actual courtroom where his prosecutors work tirelessly, is demoralizing, and dangerous. Every professional office needs a firm foundation, grounded in ethics, grit, compassion and understanding for all involved parties. This holds true especially for a prosecutorial office where inexperience can lead to mis-filings, mistrials, frustration of judges and defense attorneys, and can get junior prosecutors into hot water. This has a devastating effect on the public at large. Only concerned about his next paycheck and giving himself pay raises while criminals and street gangs are allowed to roam free. As your next City Prosecutor I’ll take the same thoughtful and compassionate but tough on crime approach I have for over a decade as a prosecutor and now as a Los Angeles County Hardcore Gang Prosecutor and ensure there’s a zero tolerance policy for street gangs. I’ll also modernize the office, with a focus on retention, and ensure that our office prosecutors have the tools, training, and wages they need to succeed and keep you safe, keeping our office ethical and thoughtful. Each case is unique, and must be handled with care.
What relative experience do you have in this career field?
I worked as a prosecutor in the Long Beach City Prosecutors office years ago and now currently serve in the District Attorney's office where I am a hardcore gang prosecutor. I know what it take to clean the city up and keep families safe. This job requires the focus of a prosecutor, not a politician, to get the job done right.
What are 3 changes you would like to make while in office?
Crack down on crime by having a zero tolerance policy for street gangs.
Invest in crime prevention to stop crime before it starts.
No more endless pay raises for the elected City Prosecutor. Adequately pay, promote and train deputy city prosecutors to ensure we can recruit and keep the best prosecutors possible.
What are your top priorities for small businesses ?
In order for small businesses to thrive and grow they must be able to know that there businesses will be safe from street thugs and gangs. I will crack down on illegal street gangs and prioritize prosecuting crimes such as smash and grabs theft. I'll work with law enforcement to ensure that when an officer makes an arrest or writes a ticket that a qualified city prosecutor immediately follows through with the full force of the law.
What do you believe is the most important function of the City Prosecutor office?
To keep you safe. The job of the City Prosecutor is to ensure the our families and children are safe at work, playing in the park and at school. The current City Prosecutor has failed to do just that because he's been more interested in giving himself pay raises and chase cameras than prosecute criminals. Crime is on the rise and every part of our community is paying the price. I'll work tirelessly to crack down on illegal street gangs to ensure they can't go on to commit more violent crimes.
What are 2 key improvements or initiatives you wish to implement as City Prosecutor?
First, prioritize cracking down on violent street gangs.
Secondly, we have to solve homelessness. We must prioritize those who are living on the streets. It's a public safety issue. This requires a multipronged approach of addressing mental health, drug addiction and ensuring there is adequate housing and job training for those who need it the most.