All candidates running for the Ward 7 D.C. Council seat were asked to fill out this questionnaire about criminal justice issues in the District. The deadline to submit answers was Friday, May 29.

Watch the #ReformDCJustice Ward 7 & 8 Candidate Forum, held on May 6, 2020, here.

 

 

1. What is your definition of public safety?

A.What is your definition of public safety?

A.

Kelvin Brown: Did not complete survey

Vincent Gray: Did not complete survey

Anthony Lorenzo Green: Did not complete survey

James Leroy Jennings: Did not complete survey

Rebecca J. Morris: Did not complete survey

Veda Rasheed: Did not complete survey

2. The school-to-prison pipeline disproportionately affects Black children in the District. What are some ways that you would address this problem, and as part of your approach, do you support reducing the presence of police officers in District public schools? Why/Why not?

A.The school-to-prison pipeline disproportionately affects Black children in the District. What are some ways that you would address this problem, and as part of your approach, do you support reducing the presence of police officers in District public schools? Why/Why not?

A.

Kelvin Brown: Did not complete survey

Vincent Gray: Did not complete survey

Anthony Lorenzo Green: Did not complete survey

James Leroy Jennings: Did not complete survey

Rebecca J. Morris: Did not complete survey

Veda Rasheed: Did not complete survey

3. There have been a number of troubling incidents over the past year involving police use of force in interactions with youth. Would you introduce or support legislation that addresses use of force by all D.C. law enforcement on juveniles, including bans on handcuffing, requirements that guardians be immediately contacted, and non-police child health or behavior specialists be present when police interact with youth?

A.There have been a number of troubling incidents over the past year involving police use of force in interactions with youth. Would you introduce or support legislation that addresses use of force by all D.C. law enforcement on juveniles, including bans on handcuffing, requirements that guardians be immediately contacted, and non-police child health or behavior specialists be present when police interact with youth?

A.

Kelvin Brown: Did not complete survey

Vincent Gray: Did not complete survey

Anthony Lorenzo Green: Did not complete survey

James Leroy Jennings: Did not complete survey

Rebecca J. Morris: Did not complete survey

Veda Rasheed: Did not complete survey

4. Do you support ending the practice of “stop and frisk” by MPD, and what additional measures would you support as a Councilmember to increase police accountability in DC?

A.Do you support ending the practice of “stop and frisk” by MPD, and what additional measures would you support as a Councilmember to increase police accountability in DC?

A.

Kelvin Brown: Did not complete survey

Vincent Gray: Did not complete survey

Anthony Lorenzo Green: Did not complete survey

James Leroy Jennings: Did not complete survey

Rebecca J. Morris: Did not complete survey

Veda Rasheed: Did not complete survey

5. Over the past two years, the number of homicides has increased significantly in the District despite an increase in police presence and enforcement. What solutions to community violence do you support outside of a law enforcement response?

A.Over the past two years, the number of homicides has increased significantly in the District despite an increase in police presence and enforcement. What solutions to community violence do you support outside of a law enforcement response?

A.

Kelvin Brown: Did not complete survey

Vincent Gray: Did not complete survey

Anthony Lorenzo Green: Did not complete survey

James Leroy Jennings: Did not complete survey

Rebecca J. Morris: Did not complete survey

Veda Rasheed: Did not complete survey

6. The Metropolitan Police Department has no official policy regarding release of information following an officer-involved shooting and the decision to release body-worn camera footage is left up to the discretion of MPD or the Mayor. Family members of those killed by police officers are therefore often left without answers or access to justice. (For example, two years after the shooting of D’Quan Young by an off-duty police officer, his family still does not know the circumstances surrounding his death or the identity of the officer who killed him). Would you introduce or support legislation putting in place timely disclosure requirements for police after violent incidents -- including public release of body-worn camera footage, identifying information of the officers involved, and independent investigations?

A.The Metropolitan Police Department has no official policy regarding release of information following an officer-involved shooting and the decision to release body-worn camera footage is left up to the discretion of MPD or the Mayor. Family members of those killed by police officers are therefore often left without answers or access to justice. (For example, two years after the shooting of D’Quan Young by an off-duty police officer, his family still does not know the circumstances surrounding his death or the identity of the officer who killed him). Would you introduce or support legislation putting in place timely disclosure requirements for police after violent incidents -- including public release of body-worn camera footage, identifying information of the officers involved, and independent investigations?

A.

Kelvin Brown: Did not complete survey

Vincent Gray: Did not complete survey

Anthony Lorenzo Green: Did not complete survey

James Leroy Jennings: Did not complete survey

Rebecca J. Morris: Did not complete survey

Veda Rasheed: Did not complete survey

7. As governments respond to the COVID-19 crisis, one major concern is an increase in government powers to surveil and detain communities. Would you support legislation requiring District agencies to disclose and obtain approval from the DC Council for any surveillance technology they acquire or use to surveil District residents?

A.As governments respond to the COVID-19 crisis, one major concern is an increase in government powers to surveil and detain communities. Would you support legislation requiring District agencies to disclose and obtain approval from the DC Council for any surveillance technology they acquire or use to surveil District residents?

A.

Kelvin Brown: Did not complete survey

Vincent Gray: Did not complete survey

Anthony Lorenzo Green: Did not complete survey

James Leroy Jennings: Did not complete survey

Rebecca J. Morris: Did not complete survey

Veda Rasheed: Did not complete survey

8. Do you support the creation of a new jail in D.C.? Why/Why not?

A.Do you support the creation of a new jail in D.C.? Why/Why not?

A.

Kelvin Brown: Did not complete survey

Vincent Gray: Did not complete survey

Anthony Lorenzo Green: Did not complete survey

James Leroy Jennings: Did not complete survey

Rebecca J. Morris: Did not complete survey

Veda Rasheed: Did not complete survey

9. How would you prioritize investments in community resources and alternatives to incarceration to shrink the jail population against the need to ensure that the jail is safe and rehabilitative?

A.How would you prioritize investments in community resources and alternatives to incarceration to shrink the jail population against the need to ensure that the jail is safe and rehabilitative?

A.

Kelvin Brown: Did not complete survey

Vincent Gray: Did not complete survey

Anthony Lorenzo Green: Did not complete survey

James Leroy Jennings: Did not complete survey

Rebecca J. Morris: Did not complete survey

Veda Rasheed: Did not complete survey

10. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, DC and other governments have implemented reforms like early release of incarcerated individuals, and expanded use of home confinement as an alternative to incarceration. Do you support these measures and do you believe they should be made permanent past the state of emergency?

A.In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, DC and other governments have implemented reforms like early release of incarcerated individuals, and expanded use of home confinement as an alternative to incarceration. Do you support these measures and do you believe they should be made permanent past the state of emergency?

A.

Kelvin Brown: Did not complete survey

Vincent Gray: Did not complete survey

Anthony Lorenzo Green: Did not complete survey

James Leroy Jennings: Did not complete survey

Rebecca J. Morris: Did not complete survey

Veda Rasheed: Did not complete survey

11. Do you support the "Community Safety and Health Amendment Act of 2019" which would remove criminal penalties for consensual sex work among adults in the District and create a task force to study the effects of the law and make further recommendations for further public health interventions? Why or why not?

A.Do you support the "Community Safety and Health Amendment Act of 2019" which would remove criminal penalties for consensual sex work among adults in the District and create a task force to study the effects of the law and make further recommendations for further public health interventions? Why or why not?

A.

Kelvin Brown: Did not complete survey

Vincent Gray: Did not complete survey

Anthony Lorenzo Green: Did not complete survey

James Leroy Jennings: Did not complete survey

Rebecca J. Morris: Did not complete survey

Veda Rasheed: Did not complete survey

12. When compared to states, D.C. has the fourth highest incarceration rate in the United States, and the overwhelming majority of those incarcerated are Black and Brown. While D.C. does not have full control over its criminal justice system, it does have control over its criminal code and other laws enforced by police. As a Councilmember, what legislative measures would you pursue to reduce the incarceration of Black and Brown residents in the District?

A.When compared to states, D.C. has the fourth highest incarceration rate in the United States, and the overwhelming majority of those incarcerated are Black and Brown. While D.C. does not have full control over its criminal justice system, it does have control over its criminal code and other laws enforced by police. As a Councilmember, what legislative measures would you pursue to reduce the incarceration of Black and Brown residents in the District?

A.

Kelvin Brown: Did not complete survey

Vincent Gray: Did not complete survey

Anthony Lorenzo Green: Did not complete survey

James Leroy Jennings: Did not complete survey

Rebecca J. Morris: Did not complete survey

Veda Rasheed: Did not complete survey

13. Lack of access to housing is the number-one barrier to successful reintegration into the community for those released from prisons and jails. With the COVID-19 crisis, these returning citizens are at even greater risk when they cannot access safe housing. What will you do to address both the immediate- and long-term need of housing for returning citizens?

A.Lack of access to housing is the number-one barrier to successful reintegration into the community for those released from prisons and jails. With the COVID-19 crisis, these returning citizens are at even greater risk when they cannot access safe housing. What will you do to address both the immediate- and long-term need of housing for returning citizens?

A.

Kelvin Brown: Did not complete survey

Vincent Gray: Did not complete survey

Anthony Lorenzo Green: Did not complete survey

James Leroy Jennings: Did not complete survey

Rebecca J. Morris: Did not complete survey

Veda Rasheed: Did not complete survey

14. As the District heads into a recession resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a risk that resources for low-income District residents will be cut and police enforcement of quality of life offenses will increase, leading to more criminalization of residents living in poverty. What would be your vision of how to prevent this outcome?

A.As the District heads into a recession resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a risk that resources for low-income District residents will be cut and police enforcement of quality of life offenses will increase, leading to more criminalization of residents living in poverty. What would be your vision of how to prevent this outcome?

A.

Kelvin Brown: Did not complete survey

Vincent Gray: Did not complete survey

Anthony Lorenzo Green: Did not complete survey

James Leroy Jennings: Did not complete survey

Rebecca J. Morris: Did not complete survey

Veda Rasheed: Did not complete survey

15. As a Councilmember, would you support the full legalization of marijuana in the District?

A.As a Councilmember, would you support the full legalization of marijuana in the District?

A.

Kelvin Brown: Did not complete survey

Vincent Gray: Did not complete survey

Anthony Lorenzo Green: Did not complete survey

James Leroy Jennings: Did not complete survey

Rebecca J. Morris: Did not complete survey

Veda Rasheed: Did not complete survey

16. Most immigration enforcement in DC happens through its criminal justice system's collaboration with ICE (ex. police arrests, DC jail, the courts which transfer people to ICE). Immigrant communities have called on the DC government to end collaboration and do all it can to end immigration enforcement. What will you do to ensure that DC ends such ICE collaboration and enforcement in the District?

A.Most immigration enforcement in DC happens through its criminal justice system's collaboration with ICE (ex. police arrests, DC jail, the courts which transfer people to ICE). Immigrant communities have called on the DC government to end collaboration and do all it can to end immigration enforcement. What will you do to ensure that DC ends such ICE collaboration and enforcement in the District?

A.

Kelvin Brown: Did not complete survey

Vincent Gray: Did not complete survey

Anthony Lorenzo Green: Did not complete survey

James Leroy Jennings: Did not complete survey

Rebecca J. Morris: Did not complete survey

Veda Rasheed: Did not complete survey

17. Do you support the Second Look Amendment Act, which expands the opportunity to request re-sentencing for young adults who committed their offense between the ages of 18-25?

A.Do you support the Second Look Amendment Act, which expands the opportunity to request re-sentencing for young adults who committed their offense between the ages of 18-25?

A.

Kelvin Brown: Did not complete survey

Vincent Gray: Did not complete survey

Anthony Lorenzo Green: Did not complete survey

James Leroy Jennings: Did not complete survey

Rebecca J. Morris: Did not complete survey

Veda Rasheed: Did not complete survey

18. In the past year we have seen several incidents of excessive force used on Metro and Metrobus customers by Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) officers in D.C. But there is no accountability to riders because WMATA lacks a civilian oversight board of MTPD. In cooperation with Maryland and Virginia, would you support the creation of such a board of Metro Transit Police, and what steps would you take to accomplish greater accountability of MTPD to District residents?

A.In the past year we have seen several incidents of excessive force used on Metro and Metrobus customers by Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) officers in D.C. But there is no accountability to riders because WMATA lacks a civilian oversight board of MTPD. In cooperation with Maryland and Virginia, would you support the creation of such a board of Metro Transit Police, and what steps would you take to accomplish greater accountability of MTPD to District residents?

A.

Kelvin Brown: Did not complete survey

Vincent Gray: Did not complete survey

Anthony Lorenzo Green: Did not complete survey

James Leroy Jennings: Did not complete survey

Rebecca J. Morris: Did not complete survey

Veda Rasheed: Did not complete survey