Official Statement

Statement in Response to Events Unfolding in Minnesota and the Country

Our city thrives when our voices are heard. It is the bedrock of my campaign; to ensure that every Peoria resident is given an opportunity to provide feedback and share their ideas and concerns when it comes to the community we call home. This right and commitment to transparency does not change in the face of challenging times. Rather, our resolve as leaders should be to work harder to ensure that every Peoria resident feels safe, protected, and maintains their constitutional rights.

The heartbeat of any community is found in our ability to speak our minds. As your candidate for Mayor of Peoria, I want to be clear about where I stand on the balance between public expression and public safety. Every member of this community has the right to peacefully assemble and exercise free speech. That is not just a legal standard; it is a value that defines us. It is incumbent upon a community’s leaders and public safety agencies to work with all jurisdictions toward this goal—to maintain a safe environment that allows for this essential Constitutional exercise while also ensuring that any behavior that threatens this peace be dealt with according to the best public safety standards and protocols.

Safety Through Respect

My approach to leadership mirrors the professional standard we expect from anyone: safety must be rooted in dignity. When gatherings occur, our focus should never be on suppression, but on organization and protection. We ensure the safety of those participating and the community as a whole by being prepared, not provocative.

In light of the situation that unfolded in recent days in Minnesota, it is essential that the rule of law be what prevails. A city’s leadership must support dialogue, thorough investigation, cooperation, and public safety protocols. It is also incumbent upon leaders to communicate regularly with citizens as an investigation process progresses. No death is acceptable, and officials must be thoughtful in the review of incidents such as these to discover what went wrong and what can be done better. I am hopeful that justice will prevail in Minnesota, and I am committed to ensuring Peoria’s public safety departments are trained and prepared for such situations should they occur in our city.

Promise of Response

I have confidence in the training of our local law enforcement and their ability to respond to any situation, including to ensure:

·      Peaceful activities are protected from disruption.

·      Intervention is limited strictly to criminal behavior that threatens injury or public safety.

·      Essential services continue to run for every resident, even during times of high civic engagement.

Leadership means upholding the promise that you can stand up for what you believe in without fear. It means ensuring that our resources are used to monitor and support, not to silence. And a leader must be prepared to engage early and often. I commit to do just that.