Community Safety

It is unacceptable that any members of our community be made to feel unsafe by the very institutions meant to provide for their safety. I support the HEART proposal for an unarmed, community-based team trained in nonviolent de-escalation tactics that would operate fully independently from the Cambridge PD. This team would serve as first responders for all incidents not involving armed violence, such as non-violent mental health crises or domestic disputes. 

It is time to demilitarize the Cambridge Police Department. According to the City of Cambridge Police Department Report of Materials, Tools, and Property as of June 30, 2020, the CPD currently has 300 officers and over 100 assault rifles and higher caliber weapons Rather than funding weapons, I will push to reallocate police funding to address more pressing community needs such as affordable housing, education, and public health. I will advocate for the CPD budget to be proportional to spending on housing, education and public health to ensure we are funding true community wellness. Furthermore, I plan to protect our most vulnerable community members by pushing to remove student resource officers (SROs) from schools. 

I will protect Cambridge’s immigrant population, both documented and undocumented, by rejecting compliance with ICE. To facilitate immigrant inclusion in Cambridge, I will expand programs that provide legal services, like the Greater Boston Legal Services and the HLS immigration clinics. To complement local efforts, I will pressure the state to allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses.

I pledge to support the right to vote in local elections for non-citizens that are on a path to citizenship because everyone should have a voice in their community.

Taking a Holistic Approach to Wellness

I also want to help foster meaningful public dialogue around reparations for racial injustice and make sure racial equity is centered when making policy decisions around topics such as housing, education, and the environment. I will ensure Black and Brown community members are not left behind in Cambridge by:

• Advocating for expanding after-school programs that benefit Black and Brown youth.

• Collaborating with community leaders, youth groups, families and other stakeholders to establish and fund safety initiatives for young people.

• Pushing for policies that expand Black homeownership. 

• Expanding access to credit to bolster minority business ownership and address the racial wealth gap.

• Proactively addressing environmental racism.

Read more on my plans for equity in education, housing justice, stronger local economies and environmental action.

Cambridge is a tale of two cities. Thank you MBK Cambridge for organizing this Rally for our Youth on August 2nd, and to everyone who shared their stories. Our work isn’t done until every child and parent can walk our streets without fear.