I am committed to keeping our communities safe.  As legislators, it is essential that we  ensure law enforcement has all the tools it needs to stop crime and violence.
While in Congress, I have focused my efforts on promoting policies that keep guns out of dangerous hands, curb the financing of drug crimes, and equip our local law enforcement with the federal funding and programs needed to effectively fight crime.  

 Many law enforcement agencies across the country have implemented hiring freezes for both sworn officers and civilian positions. Federal funding can help address these concerns and more by getting more cops on the street and providing more safety equipment for our police officers. I am pushing for full funding of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and have consistently voted against efforts to cut funds from this essential program. I also strongly support the successful Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program - the leading source of crime fighting assistance funds for state and local law enforcement.  Byrne JAG is crucial for supporting victim and witness protection programs, providing resources to investigate and prosecute crimes, and equipping our police officers with the technology and equipment to keep our neighborhoods safe. 

Finding ways to reduce juvenile crime rates and keep our youth from ever entering the system is also a priority of mine.  I support policies that will shift our country away from the ineffective policies of punishment and incarceration, and towards proposals  devoted to prevention and intervention. We should focus on efforts like offering individualized treatment plans, hiring of more youth-oriented police officers, and partnering with local community groups who are best able to reach youths in need. With these resources, we can truly make a difference and move these at-risk youth away from gangs and crime and towards schools and jobs.