I grew up in a rough neighborhood, raised by a single mother. My father battled drug addiction for most of his adult life and was incarcerated during my formative years. I know personally the damage that drug addiction and crime can have on a family and on a larger community. In my neighborhood, the doors that were always open were at the police station and firehouse. A fireman in my neighborhood became a surrogate father to me and I have incredible respect for the men and women who put their lives on the line to keep us safe. Our police officers and firefighters must receive the resources, training and equipment they need so their safety isn't compromised. Our ultimate goal should be a Boston where no parent is afraid to let their child out the front door.

As Your Councilor, I pledge to:

Focus our public safety resources on community-specific solutions. Equally important, we must fully include the community itself- neighborhood associations, religions institutions, community-based organizations- into the discussion of solutions for crime and public safety issues facing each specific neighborhood.

Ensure that those who have been impacted by the ravages of substance addiction receive the services and programs they need to get clean, re-enter society, and become, like my father, positive contributors to their communities.

Support appropriate CORI reform so that all residents have a full, fair opportunity to pursue quality employment and opportunity in our city. It is a shame when a past mistake, no matter the severity, disqualifies someone unnecessarily and unfairly from an opportunity to thrive in our city.