All candidates running for the Ward 8 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.

 

 

Stay informed

1. What is your definition of public safety?

A.What is your definition of public safety?

A.

Stuart Anderson: Did not complete survey

Michael (Mike) Austin: Did not complete survey

Yaida Ford: Public safety means having a quality of life where kids can sleep at night without hearing gun shots; kids can walk to school without seeing spent shell casings; families living in drug free communities and communities where everyone has access to the services that they need.  Public safety also means having law enforcement who do not marginalize and criminalize the communities that they are called to serve. 

Trayon White, Sr.: Did not complete survey

Nate Derenge: 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.

Stuart Anderson: Did not complete survey

Michael (Mike) Austin: Did not complete survey

Yaida Ford: The school to prison pipeline is a major issue affecting Black children for decades. We must decrease the number of Black youth going to prison by:
 

  • Investing  in early childhood education and programs like Birth to Three.
  • Increasing the number of social workers, psychiatrists and psychologists in schools.
  • Increasing trainings for teachers and staff such as TACT-2 that have a trauma-informed focus.
  • Support after school and extracurricular activities. These activities may include STEM, music, art, sports, debate, and other programs.
  • Decreasing the number of police and security at schools. Focus on fostering positive and professional relationships with school staff, faculty, and figures of authority.
  • Recognizing positive behavior from students and use positive reinforcement.

I support a very limited role of police officers in District public schools. The officers should go through additional training that allows them to be incorporated in positive ways that are proactive and so students can view them as people that support learning and not just disciplinary officers.

Trayon White, Sr.: Did not complete survey

Nate Derenge: 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.

Stuart Anderson: Did not complete survey

Michael (Mike) Austin: Did not complete survey

Yaida Ford: As a civil rights attorney, I have had many cases involving police violence or violations of constitutional rights of people who live in this country.  I agree that guardians should be contacted after an officer takes a youth into custody before transporting that youth.  Unfortunately, DC does not have full oversight over all DC law enforcement agencies but I support legislation that addresses the use of force by all D.C. law enforcement on juveniles, including requirements that guardians be immediately contacted, and non-police child health or behavior specialists be present when police interact with minors. Unless the minor is deemed to be armed and dangerous to others, there should be no handcuffing.

Trayon White, Sr.: Did not complete survey

Nate Derenge: 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.

Stuart Anderson: Did not complete survey

Michael (Mike) Austin: Did not complete survey

Yaida Ford: I fully support the ending of the practice of “stop and frisk” by MPD. Research has shown “stop and frisk” leads to abuse by rogue law enforcement, leads to traumatic and often violently escalating incidents between police and black and brown men, increases mistrust of police in communities of color, and does not decrease crime.  I would increase accountability by working to implement an oversight task force to review data/statistics of uses of force, stops and arrests and determine what type of action is needed based on the data to improve police-community relations.

Trayon White, Sr.: Did not complete survey

Nate Derenge: 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.

Stuart Anderson: Did not complete survey

Michael (Mike) Austin: Did not complete survey

Yaida Ford: More money and resources must be dedicated to fighting poverty and creating opportunities for those that need them most. Crime is mostly an issue of poverty.

We must increase resources and funding in DC public schools, especially in low-income communities like Wards 7 and 8. There is a lack of funding and resources given to schools in Ward 8. Ward 8 has the most school age youth, but has the lowest amount of funding in general and per youth.

I support more funding, programs, and engagement in workforce development programs in the District.

I support hiring officers serve where they are from, doing full psychological assessments of police officers every five years to make sure they are always mentally fit to do their jobs, increasing police community relations and positive engagements, and discontinuing “stop and frisk” type interactions.

I am in favor of increasing hate crime sentencing.

Trayon White, Sr.: Did not complete survey

Nate Derenge: 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.

Stuart Anderson: Did not complete survey

Michael (Mike) Austin: Did not complete survey

Yaida Ford: I fully support introducing or supporting legislation that puts 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.

Trayon White, Sr.: Did not complete survey

Nate Derenge: 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.

Stuart Anderson: Did not complete survey

Michael (Mike) Austin: Did not complete survey

Yaida Ford: I fully 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. MPD and other District agencies should report directly to the committee with oversight.

Trayon White, Sr.: Did not complete survey

Nate Derenge: 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.

Stuart Anderson: Did not complete survey

Michael (Mike) Austin: Did not complete survey

Yaida Ford: I support the creation of a new jail in D.C., because the current jail has been plagued with issues of overcrowding, poor resources for inmates, suicides, unsanitary conditions, pest issues, lack of mental healthcare, bad facility temperature issues, and lack of job training/re-entry programs.

We need a new jail with the proper facilities, better trained staff, good physical and mental healthcare, and better re-entry programs.

Trayon White, Sr.: Did not complete survey

Nate Derenge: 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.

Stuart Anderson: Did not complete survey

Michael (Mike) Austin: Did not complete survey

Yaida Ford: We must invest in at least two halfway houses, workforce development and workforce housing. Currently DC does not have a halfway house and there are no real plans to put one back in the District.  Therefore, we must invest in workforce housing for returning citizens.

Trayon White, Sr.: Did not complete survey

Nate Derenge: 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.

Stuart Anderson: Did not complete survey

Michael (Mike) Austin: Did not complete survey

Yaida Ford: Overall I support the measures taken by DC and other government organizations that have participated in reforms like early release of incarcerated individuals and expanded use of home confinement as an alternative to incarceration. We should continue these measures and make many of them permanent past the state of emergency, especially with non-violent offenders but they need jobs and the District should connect them with work so that they do not add to the recidivism rates.

Trayon White, Sr.: Did not complete survey

Nate Derenge: 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.

Stuart Anderson: Did not complete survey

Michael (Mike) Austin: Did not complete survey

Yaida Ford: Personally, I support it but Ward 8 residents do not.  The movement to decriminalize sex work needs to work with the Black community to inform and educate on the issues relevant to its platform. Right now, none of our residents have had any engagement with this movement and the perception is that it is a white agenda that is imposing its will on the Black community.  This should not be.  If the decriminalization movement wants Ward 8’s support they will have to engage the entire community on the topic. I would like to see a task force created to study the “Community Safety and Health Amendment Act of 2019” and submit a formal report that can be used to inform our community on the issues so that my community will have information presented to them that will allow them to have an informed stance on the Act.

Trayon White, Sr.: Did not complete survey

Nate Derenge: 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.

Stuart Anderson: Did not complete survey

Michael (Mike) Austin: Did not complete survey

Yaida Ford: We must increase resources in education, workforce development, and create other opportunities early for youth and young adults.  I would advocate for a community based policing model that engages residents in a way that is collaborative and would lead to less arrests.  I would also pursue an agenda that seeks local control over our parole commission, our courts and our prosecutorial discretion—none of which exist in the District of Columbia.  

Trayon White, Sr.: Did not complete survey

Nate Derenge: 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.

Stuart Anderson: Did not complete survey

Michael (Mike) Austin: Did not complete survey

Yaida Ford: First of all, DC needs a transitional facility and it should be near the services that our residents need to make a successful transition back into the community.  Second, we need workforce housing for men and women. I want to work with developers to take vacant and blighted houses and schools and to create temporary and mixed income housing for individuals, families, and returning citizens. I also want to create two new halfway houses. One of these housing options can be in Ward 8.

Trayon White, Sr.: Did not complete survey

Nate Derenge: 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.

Stuart Anderson: Did not complete survey

Michael (Mike) Austin: Did not complete survey

Yaida Ford: Unfortunately, DC will have to cut many areas of funding due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I applaud the Mayor’s effort to increase PPF funding. But more must be done to bridge the digital divide for parents.  We must prioritize workforce development for returning citizens who were released early due to the virus. We must also set a new standard of prosecuting police misconduct, creating stronger oversight over MPD, and increase MPD recruitment from communities of color.

Trayon White, Sr.: Did not complete survey

Nate Derenge: 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.

Stuart Anderson: Did not complete survey

Michael (Mike) Austin: Did not complete survey

Yaida Ford: Yes, marijuana should be legal in the District, but regulated. Restrictions should be in-place to make sure marijuana is of good quality (not laced with other harmful substances), not being used in certain areas (i.e.near schools or senior villages), not being sold and used by minors, and there should be restrictions on quantity.

Trayon White, Sr.: Did not complete survey

Nate Derenge: 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.

Stuart Anderson: Did not complete survey

Michael (Mike) Austin: Did not complete survey

Yaida Ford: I will support the continuation of not collaborating with ICE as it relates to many DC government agencies and to extend these policies to police arrests, DC jail, the courts, and other agencies.

Trayon White, Sr.: Did not complete survey

Nate Derenge: 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.

Stuart Anderson: Did not complete survey

Michael (Mike) Austin: Did not complete survey

Yaida Ford: Yes. I support the Second Look Amendment Act.

Trayon White, Sr.: Did not complete survey

Nate Derenge: 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.

Stuart Anderson: Did not complete survey

Michael (Mike) Austin: Did not complete survey

Yaida Ford: I have served as the attorney of the latest two victims of excessive force against WMATA and MTPD. I pushed for CMs White and Allen to have the round table discussion last year and have engaged the media heavily on this issue.  I have testified at hearings in DC and MD to advocate for legislation to amend the WMATA Compact to end sovereign immunity. I have also drafted legislation for DC and MD on this topic and have expended my personal resources on this effort. And yes, I fully support the creation of creating a civilian oversight board for MTPD and amending the WMATA compact to make them liable for excessive force violations.

Trayon White, Sr.: Did not complete survey

Nate Derenge: Did not complete survey