>> Monica:  If I miss anything, please feel free to add.
>> Monica Hopkins: Hello. Welcome everyone thank you to everyone joining us for this Virtual Candidate Forum I'm monocharacters Hopkins the executive director of the ACLU of District of Columbia.
I should acknowledge this is the first time we're doing a virtual candidate forum like this one so we're doing the best we can to adhere to as much inclusivety as possible. Along those lines, and before we get started, just a few housekeeping notes.
Everyone who is watching this live via Zoom right now is on mute and your cameras are not on. This event is also being recorded and live streamed through Facebook.
So given the shear number of people on this call and viewing, we will not be able to answer live voice questions. If you would like to ask a question during the forum please use the Q and A box down below, located at the bottom of your screen
Your questions will be viewable and you may see the questions people ask by asking that Q and A box. If you have the same question as other people, you can hit the "like" or "thumbs up" button to raise that question up in the cue.
Questions will be screened and asked at the moderators discretion if you have a question and need of translation, simply type your question into the Q and A bubble, and the translators will translate the question for the moderator.
We do have translation on the webinar. The phone number is up on the screen and people have been asked to slow down their speech so everyone is able to understand. We thank the translators and our captioner for making this as accessible as possible.
A little note about time keeping and rowdiness. Finally, on the screen, there will be a virtual time keeper. Candidates understand they have to keep it within that time and if they go over past the moderator letting them know it is time, they will be muted by our tech support.
Adhering to these boundaries allows us to facilitate an accessible candidate forum.
This evening we are hosting tonight's forum with outstanding group of more than 15 other groups indicated here on the screen. And our topic is the criminal justice system. The criminal justice system has been in need for serious reform for decades
But the current public health crisis caused by the coronavirus exposed how dire this situation is. Our agency lack clear protocols how to deal with a pandemic and those caught in the system have suffered for it.
Dozens have sickened and some died.
Tonight we will candidates for D.C. council Wards 2 and 4 on these issues the first hour will be Ward 2 and 7:00 PM we will welcome Ward four candidates Z.
s I'm delighted that Fenit Nirappil among the Washington Post one of our doing Ed D.C. counselor covers D.C. government and politics before he joined the Washington Post in 2015 he covered the California California State House for the associated state press and suburban government outside Portland ó for the Oregonia I will turn it over to you.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you to everyone to join in for the civic life and halt for this popped a debate like this you don't have to tell anyone, no cheering, no booing you can cheer as loud as you want and booing as loud as you want from the comfort from your homes.
For this debate I will causation the audience because we have a large number of candidates and only one hour, we're not going to be able to get every candidate to answer every question but we will make sure that candidates all get time to weigh in on issues and at the end we will have an opportunity. To draw
Contrast with one of their opponents or address a question they wanted to weigh in on.
With that said we will start off with one minute statements by call the candidates I randomized the order that we'll have candidates go in. One thing I suggest candidates do in your opening statement you might want to address if you are confident in the city's COVID-19 response and if there is anything you would e
Have done differently w that, we will start with Jordan grossman you have a minute.
Jordan:  Those of you haven't met yet my name is Jordan Grossman  I have spent my career in public service it's a privilege not a business opportunity but privilege is an important topic for us to discuss tenant. Jack Evans who resigned from this Ward two seat one of his colleagues Kenneth McDuffy says our version of laws is extreme privilege.
It illustrates an important stark divide. Jack still walks free we have thousands of members of our community especially black and brown members of our community incarcerated on flip sea charges or paper thin evidence I think it's time for a clean break from
Both of these dynamics we need an ethical council but we need one that is truly committed to reducing violence and reducing incarceration and addressing disparity in our policing
>> Fenit Nirappil: That's time. Next up is Patrick Kennedy.
>> Patrick Kennedy: Thank you virtual Fenit it's good to see you if only over a screen and the organizers of this event grateful for the opportunity my name is pa trek Kennedy I'm advisor [inaudible] commissioner for eight years serving in my 5th year as the chair of the commission I'm grateful for the topic of focus this evening it is so central whether we become a more equitable city moving forward whether we can look at the rational disparities of our countries sin and unwind tdisproportioed
Disproportionate number of cases and fatalities of African-Americans in this city. We need to do a better job not only in the short response to COVID-19
But in terms of our broader systematic consideration that deepens the disparities we face and look forward to that this evening.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you next is Brooke Pinto.
>> Thank you for getting it better get our COVID-19 plan right. As former attorney central issue in this company I'm proud to have worked for one of the progressive attorney generals in the country with first in-house restorative justice program in the country I served on the task for -- and I rapted the District of Columbia on national cannabis advisory panel there is much more work that needs to be done we need to get violence interrupted if our street more school to address behavioral choss
This call this evening and look forward to continued partnership going forward.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you Brooke. John fan sing next.
.
>> John Fanning:  Hi thank you to all of the sponsors my name is John Fanning a candidate for D.C. council I'm running for council because I want to solve problems for residents I know how to do it. I'm a 6-term AMC present chairman of advisory commission neighborhood 2F. I have served as the community liaison for Ward two under several mayors some issues I want to work onto reform criminal justice system one is to explore every opportunity.
To transfer management of the courts and the criminal justice system under the D.C. government. I would also like to focus on bail reform and I would also like to focus on the next two years building a prison in the city so we don't have to transfer our residents
To 35 different states. Thank you.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Next up is Jack Evans.
>> Jack Evans:  Thank you good evening I want to thank Monica and Fenit and ACLU D.C. for hosting this rem #ReformDCJustice since 1987 I have been a card carrying member of ACLU and stood up for the civil liberties of our residents for instance, in 1991 the first bill I introduced was legislation that the anti- sodomy law. In LGBTQ in the region to support major equality when it was not popular [inaudible] we must do much more to ensure that everyone's civil liberties are proT$1 billion.
Crisis --
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thanks your time is up if you can wrap up.
>> Evans. My fighting for the rights of citizens and economic recessions is ideal for the moment.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Next up is Daniel Hernandez.
>> Daniel Hernandez: Thanks to Fenit and ACLU of D.C. and partner organizations for putting this together. As we talk about criminal justice reform this evening, this, is actually one of something I feel very passionate about and one of the core drivers to run for office in the first place. I grew up in a.
Working class neighborhood with a lot of people in and out of the criminal justice system. My family as well. You know we need to unwind the harm that the war on drugs has done in our communities and our society over the past 40 years.
As we look at one of the immediate effects, you see here in the D.C. jail the coronavirus response there. And our inability to get on top and get ahead of that. And the infection rates we're seeing there is something we need to do better on
Hope to talk more about all this this evening. Thank you.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Before we move to Kishan Putta for the last opening statement I want to remind everyone who is watching here if you can increase the screen so you have all the candidates visible that would be helpful we're going to have questions .
To ask candidates to raise their hands if they agree or raise their hands if they disTPRAOEFPLT with that Mr. Putta you are next
>> Kishan Putta:  You have [inaudible] next right.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Yes she's up next.
>> Kishan Putta:  Hello everybody my name is Kishan Putta I have lived here 15 years I want to make it better for everyone not just the privileged the last six years I have been working for health link and if you have teen years working in D.C. worked across our city in all eight Wards in vulnerable communities that didn't have access to health care and worked hard if help them get to the second uninsured in the country I care about it so much to get us out of this crisis right now I have been t
Not just talking about it rather working on it to ameliorate these problems we are seeing how bad it can be. As a child of immigrants it's high time we need diversity on our council our city of immigrants we have no children of immigrants on our council. I want to
Bring that diversity so our voices are heard that's what I have been doing as a commission from many years and want to continue doing for you.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Next up is Yilin Zhang.
>> Excuse.
>> Yilin Zhang: I want to thank you ACLU cospoonsers and Fenit for having us here tonight. My name is Yilin Zhang I'm a transplant -- I have spent the majority of my career working on health care access making sure people have access to health care information and access to quality health care I'm running because I believe every resident toe serves to have a voice in our democracy and a.
Voice that is hard. It's not okay for someone to be born in a zip code and that to determine their success and thrive in right. That's why we need to fight for the right of our vulnerable populations
Our homeless populations making sure they have the rights services not just howsing and making sure our sex workers can work in a safe space and dekrill criminalize sex worker. -- [multiple speakers] I look forward to the conversation we will be having. Thank you.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you for getting through opening statements without technical glitches the first will raise your hands if you agree or disagree. Raise your hands if you are confident in the D.C. government's response to D.C. jail and the spread of.
Coronavirus coronavirus at D.C. jail. Raiseure hand if you support the approach and confidence in the D.C. government's approach.
Now raise your hand if you do not have confidence in the D.C. government's approach. All right. I didn't see Jack Evans or Yilin Zhang answer either way on this. We will start off by asking Mr. Evans. What are your thoughts how the
D.C. government has worked to contain the spread of coronavirus at D.C. jail
>> Evans. The reason I didn't answer in the way you answered do I have confidence? Yes I do have confidence the D.C. government will get this right. Where the D.C. government has failed we were faced with a crisis that is out of nowhere. Should we have been prepared for this? Yes. The whole country should have been we should have been and we weren't.
There's a government that can get things done our mayor and our council. At the D.C. jail though we have too many people cramped too too tight of space exposed to this virus and we have not reacted in a fast enough fashion
In order to correct that problem. We have to put distance between the prisoners. We have to release those who should not be in jail for minor crimes and make sure everyone is tested and get the quality car they need.
I believe we can get there I do have confidence in this. But those are the steps that need to be done.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you. We will have Kishan Putta answer next.
>> Kishan Putta:  This is a very important question. The problem you have been seeing the tragic consequences I heard a shocking statistic that the infection inside the jail is if you have 15 times outside. You can't let that happen in our city to our people.
That's a failure of government. And I know under court orders we're now doing something about it. Of course, I'm so glad that the ACLU sued.
That's why we need the ACLU that's why we need advocates like you pushing if raise the moral alarm now they're finally cleaning the jails out and distancing people and having more volunteers there to help out.
But gosh why did it take so listening? Why did we have to get so many people sick? I work Wednesday the incarcerated community through D.C. health link and at the half way houses as well.
We need to do better by these people. Thank you.
>> Fenit Nirappil: As I mentioned at the start of the debate we are in the going to have everyone answer every question question we will have an opportunity at the end so candidates can weigh in on questions they didn't have chance to answer to.
We will have a revenue estimate later this week. We're bracing from the D.C. government to cut $600 million from next year's budget. The budget is going to be a big area focus for the D.C. council
With that in mind, what areas do you see as the most right cutting from the D.C. budget and what would you might to protect in the D.C. budget? We randomized the order of answering these questions the first is up the is Brooke Pinto. You have one minute.
>> Brooke Pinto:  The latest estimate is closer to a billion dollars in shortfalls this year which is concerns there are a number of things we do. Number one I aim to leverage our relationships in the government to get our fair share of the $50 billion to every date the federal.
Government shouldn't be treating us like a state we shouldn't be paying taxes. That is the first. Second we need to bolster s health care education and safey and not having cuts across the board so those essential services can stay intact.
And sadly some things need to be cut I'm supportive of the mayor's difficulty decisions to have hoaring freezes across the city government and prevent travel you know future furloughs that are going to be really difficult if folks
Considering there are ways we have been talking about making sure they are staggered so entire families aren't losing their paychecks I do think it's really important to be responsible -- [multiple speakers]
>> Fenit Nirappil:ure time is up. Next up is Dan Hernandez.
>> Dan Hernandez:  So I think some of the priorities of what we have to protect are you know health and human service responsibilities. We have if make sure people are healthy. People are housed that people are you know, fed.
As best we can, particularly in these times. I think broadly, recessions as we enter them, this is kind of a forces recession for new. Those are the times you use your rainy day funds we
Don't have -- to borrow trillion dollars to pay for something with you we should pay back in better times. Areas to cut? The first easy one to look at are a lot of the corporate or tax expenditures and corporate tax cuts for businesses that has been analyzed many times
As unnecessary business development that's all for the time. Thank you.
>> Fenit Nirappil: All right. Next up is John Fanning. Those just tuning in, the question successes what area would you fight to protect in the budget and what do you see is right for cuts?
>> John Fanning:  Thank you great question. We would look for duplicate services we currently provide and eliminate them. Of course, there's some initiatives we possibly won't be able to fund like riding the transand bus rail for free.
It's possible. We won't be able to fully fund birth to three. But I would do everything I can to find funding for it.
My main concern right now is deployment program.  So, that's coming up and what are we going to do? What is going to happen there with our city's youth? Is the program going to be suspended? So I think there is some city services that are duplicate that we could find
And possibly cut. Thank you.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you commissioner. Next up is Patrick Kennedy.
>> Patrick Kennedy: Thank you. I think that we absolutely need to center and hold harmless to the greatest extent possible. Investments to the public health crisis we're in right now and hope to emerge from. We need to safeguard programs and initiatives the least fortunate and most vulnerable in our city rely upon.
Those are the things we can least afford to cut there is in question when you are talking about a loss of $600 million that is just for this fiscal year there are painful choice toss be made.
I think Brooke is right going down the line of hiring freezes we're going to have to look at to the extent this is across the government but it's ant opportunity how we spend our money and look for better results and did things better
Our procurement system is broken. [Inaudible] and not responsive.  So, I think we're smart about it.
We use this as an opportunity to spend our money much more wisely and deliver much greater returns.
>> Fenit Nirappil: All right. Next up is Mr. Evans. You are one that has been through the budget process before. What would you fight to protect and what duh see is right for cutting.
>> Evans:  Three times 96, 2001 and [inaudible]. The shortfall is [audio cutting out] [speaking off the mic] this fiscal year has to be paid back next fiscal year we're looking at that much of a cut in the government. Remember in the go. We spend our money in tour places .
Education human services public safety and debt makeup [inaudible] of the budget -- you are down to 9 billion. Fixed costs take you down to 4 billion. That's where you have to find the $4 billion in saving that 4 billion is in personnel. You have to look
At personnel every part of the government in 19 and 2009 we had to furlough the government and put in hiring freezes.
This is the time of bold leadership as Linda crop used to say to me as vice chairman we have to be responsible for -- that are irresponsible. That's what it's all about.
>> Fenit Nirappil: That can you Mr. Evans next up is Yilin Zhang.
>>
>> Yilin Zhang: We need to focus on resill ebb sea and recovery infrastructure for me health care is a thing -- [inaudible] Ward 7 and 8 have the highest rates of diabetes in the country and we need to make sure we have access to quality health care we need to work with small businesses .
The paycheck protection program created rules and structures to get the money from the banks and small businesses don't have the accounting structure to work quickly. That was analyzed on a receipt basis
So, a lot of the small businesses did in the get that first roll of funding. And then in terms of cuts I agree with John Fanning we need to look at where there is duplication of processes and efforts where we can do things more efficiently.
I also do agree with the [inaudible] on hiring travel etc.  So, we first need to look where there is fat in the process and cut that out first
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you the last word on the D.C. budget goes to Jordan grossman.
>> Jordan:  In the middle of this health economic pry sis it's more important than ever to invest in our priorities n the first place we need to invest in those who lost their jobs the small families and mortgage payments that are come do. We need to help our front line workers that is not just health care workers that is folks who drive our buses at the grocery store.
Folks we realize are now eassociate. I get concerned when people start to use these we're going to have to make these tough choices type of things when I think we are told all the time in D.C. we have a rainy day fund we got to save it for something really bad.
That's happening right new. We need to look at creative way whether it's the federal reserve or other creative ways to do this. I have saved billions of dollars in government I'm not saying we need to spend all the time but we need to invest. And not tax breaks. [Multiple speakers] businesses have been
Asking for. Thank you.
>> Fenit Nirappil: All right. And we have gotten through and we still have not have had technical glitches let's hope it stays that way.
The next question will be a raising hand question raise your hand [inaudible] for young adults who committed their offenses between the ages of 16 and 25. That looks like everyone.  So, I will ask a follow up.
Raise your hand if you want to see substantial amendments to the bill as it's currently drafted. All right. Looks like we don't have that much disagreement on that particular issue.  So, we will go onto the next question there.
This is a community question submitted by andre grey what would you do to support transitional citizens even after half way housing.
I will start with two candidates at random we will start with Dan Hernandez
>>
>> Daniel Hernandez: This dies into housing crisis and having more housing available which makes it more affordable to provide housing assistance to people coming out.
Particularly when you compare us globally or in the western world even. We are absolutely atrocious when it comes to resitism people get out of jail they try to get a job. And it's hard to get a job with a record.
We have to do better hiring those who come out of jail with a record. We have to have job placement programs and make sure people have a place to stay when they come out. We simply need to develop and provide
Housing and we need to do better about training and placement programs.
>> Fenit Nirappil: And the next candidate get to answer this question. What would you do to support transitional living for returning citizens after half way housing goes to Brooke Pinto.
>> Brooke Pinto.ment the first place to start here is having local control of our own parole. We can't exec our returning citizens to learn how to reintegrate into society when we don't have management or control of our own parole. That is place one.
To, there are innovative and exsite ago approachs we have with current returning citizens programs with the [inaudible] the clear the streets programs with office and neighborhood safety engage. As well as the attorney general's office. Eric weaver I think you wouldn't mind me saying you might be on the call Eric a previous inmate
Working at the Department of Corrections I think those partnerships are creative in a good way to make sure that people who have previously been in the system are part of the solution to helping us adjust our challenges and incredible. Messageers to redude. To get back
Into the company and say here's how you can be engaged after you have served your time.
>> Fenit you are muted.
>> Fenit Nirappil: New I'm responsible for the first tech problem. To follow up on a point that Brooke Pinto made, raise your hand if you support taking back local control of our parole system from the U.S. parole commission?
All right. That looks like everyone is in agreement on that issue.  So, the next question comes from our sponsors. The district task force on jails and justice recently released a report with stunning statistics
89% of the jail population is black despite black residents making up less than half of D.C.'s population. What would you do if elected to the council to address racial disparities in the criminal justice system.
We will start off with Yilin Zhang
>>
>> Yilin Zhang: It's a couple of components we need to make sure we take entire health approach as I said in the beginning so often your zip code determines, what happens to you in life the quality of your schools health care the quality of your grocery stores we need to make sure.
Over the long term we build resiliency across structures. The Ward two D.C. council position is creating legislation across the entire city. We need to take a 1-city approach.
The other part is we need to get the data from MPD we need accurate data to make sure we know what we're working with. And from there get to the radioof the issues and the
Arrests that occur in D.C. is related to robberies and theft. That is probably an issue of socio- economic levels. We need to create an economy and infrastructure that is welcoming of all communities.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Next up is Jordan grossman how would you address racial disparities in the D.C. criminal justice system?
>> Jordan:  Thank you I think ACLU. Did Fanonal work to get the data in the near act. Not only racial disparities across the board.
But the districts cover Ward two which is predominantly white we have a huge number of arrests are predominantly black. That's how you use data driven approach to do
Oversight of APD and doing procedures that is not acceptable at all. The second Pets is we do need to build back up the building blocks for folks to as we mentioned past the reentry questions there are
Other things too we did need to decriminalize I was in support of decriminalizing [inaudible] on the margins
Don't have many margins but are often getting criminalized that is not just effects like that. But folks experiencing homelessness we need to tack a broader approach that everything we do in government is make sure we reducing disparities across the board.
>> Fenit Nirappil: With the next question we will allow the candidates that were not opened up for all to answer them.
The question is in light of the pandemic gearings jurisdictions including D.C. police practices in the jailing individuals for low-level offenses do you think these practices should continue after the pandemic is over.
And return to normal. The two candidates not been able to answer individual questions yet are Patrick Kennedy and John Fanning. We will start off with
Patrick Kennedy.
>> Patrick Kennedy: The short answer is yes. Like I always say I think of the current situation we're in. That does provide an opportunity to look at things that are truly necessary for us to function and for all different government services to be provided and some things that were being done because.
That is always the way they were done before our adaptation to this crisis in some ways can provide a road map to better enforcement particularly if this question I think most non-violent.
Low-level offenses should be resolved with a citation if that. In some cases it should be shifted over to civil infractions. I will recall disparities and enforcement predating this crisis. I recall a friend of mine in college got a citation from the MPD from the bottom in metro.
Those are things I have seen African-Americans get arrested for. There's a disparity in enforcement going on for years this current crisis provides us
Withance opportunity to do things differently and much bet Earp.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Mr. Fanning.
>> Fanning:  It would depend on the facts if it's drinking in public or get into an argument or get into a fight. Right now, we are in the in a good situation to keep folks in confinement. A good example of that.
Was at the hope village the half way houses we had in southeast they were confined unfortunately, that is managed by the federal bureau of prisons which they should be releasing and deep
Celineing those facilities and sending system of these residents to hotels but it would, basically, have to depend on what the offense is. Um...you know like if somebody's smoking marijuana in public.
23 million people smoke marijuana. Is it office you are just want to arrest somebody to get time off the street and write a report.  So, they would have to be really collective because we're dealing with a really --
>> Fenit Nirappil: Time is up.
>> Fanning:  Thank you.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Next we will move to lightning round I will ask candidates if they support a particular bill. We may or may not have follow up questions depending on where candidates .
Stand on the issues. To start off raise your hand if you support police stop and frisk. Mrs. Pinto. You are not raising your hand. Can you expand on your position?
>> Brooke Pinto:  Sure. Of course, stop and frisk the way it's utilized across the country is abhorrent and dehumanizing and is racially applied the standard the Supreme Court has laid out for reasonable suspension crime being afoot warranting stop and disk I don't think we can disallow all officers getting involves if they do consider a crime afoot there are other things we need to do.
There should not be any reason for intimate touching for stop and risks there should be two officers observing at all of these interactions.
There should be body cameras follow through so we can observe the data prior to reviewing the footage for an incident report.
The way stop and frisk needs is terrible andneaths to be reformed I want today provide the nuance that our officers do need to be able to engage when they think crime is afoot
And
And try to prevent crime before it happens.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you. Next question for all candidates raise your hand if you support the mayor surveillance camera program. I don't see.
>> Yilin Zhang: And juror fan grossman. Jordan grossman can you start off on your position in this issue?
>> Jordan:  This is the ACLU and other organizations have flagged there are concerning things on surveillance footage shared without consent not just local law enforcement entities we need to work through a lot of those issues and protect privacy and data before we provide incentive for folks if get surveillance camera.
Everyone should be able to feel safe I think this is not necessarily the way to do it. I think we should be pursuing to make our neighborhood safer public safety approaching -- [inaudible] deep roots some are returning citizens who do interrupt violence before it starts who do have connections in the community that's a better safer approach to reduce violence and make the community safer than to engage
With surveillance approach that has a lot of risks we know what happens with data breaches and these stuff these days
So, we need to be careful.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Mr. Putta you have something you want to say.
>> Kishan Putta: We have surveillance cameras and something I have supported. Surveillance as a person of color, as a child of immigrants, I have very big qualms about it. I was part of the police engagement academy so I can push back for better policing we went to the.
Communication center on MLK I don't know if you have been there Fenit they have screens survey vailing the whole city it's algorithms written in silicon valuely largely by white males who recollects do not reck
Nuys the difference between my face and yours or my face and others in the city. It is a big problem with surveillance. It is very bias. There's a lot of concerns and we do need STPHRPLT I do agree
Of course, with the ACLU we need if be cracking down. [Multiple speakers]
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you time is up. We're going to move to another raise hands questions.
Raise your hand if you would oppose the D.C. allowing marijuana dispensaries that sell marijuana for adult use. If you oppose the dispensary, raise your hand.
All right we have no -- looks like -- does pinto have opposition here?
>> Brooke Pinto:  I'm in support of doing what we can. This is another area congress has a spending rider over the district eats you know that prohibits us from an adult use marketplace for cannabis. Anything we can do to legally implement our voter will which legally passed marijuana on cannabis consumption for.
Recreational and medical use in our city --
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you Mrs. Pinto I want to be fair with all of the candidates because you spoke recently. There's a federal rider that prohibits using it's own funds using marijuana.
So, that writer would need to come out before D.C. can address this issue.
Our next question. Raise your hand if you support the creation of a civilian oversight board of the metro transit police department?
All right.  So, I would like to get Zhang and Evans of the metro board to weigh in here. We will start off with Mrs. Zhang k
>> Yilin Zhang: I think it's really important to build trust between the police department and our community and that means in all facets and levels with our schools, with people who work in our restaurants and.
Grocery stores the people who have lived here for a shored period or long time it's important our residents have a voice on things that go on in their community. Right now. Community policing
Is not done always the right way, right manner and I think we need to have standardized training and approaches for teaching our residents and also our oafsers about how they can interact with each other better and how
We should be making sure that our community is safe.
>> Fenit Nirappil: All right. Mr. Evans do what you think of the idea of civilian over sight board. For transit police.
>> Evans:  [Inaudible] in the district back in the 1990s. Back in the 1990s we had a riot on 17th street on Halloween it was a police riot where we were having our gay pride party there. After that.
We stepped in and I know Kathy Patterson and I on the council did the first investigation of the metropolitan police department.
First issue of subpoenas by the council and supporting the setting up of the civilian complaint review board.
Metro Sam deal. When I was chairman of the board 3-and-a-half years it's an issue we looked at. As you know, we had a lot of other issues at metro at that time. A system that had completely collapsed. And my focus at that time at metro was getting dedicated funding something that said people said could never happen because of the dogged
Approach myself and others took we were able to get Maryland Virginia on board for metro. --
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you your time is up.
>> Evans:  And take the first steps to getting it fixed.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Last question. [Inaudible] before the council last year and ultimately did not advance to a vote. Raise your hands if you oppose that legislation. All right. Is we are getting some of the candidates we have not heard from.
Patrick Kennedy, you indicated opposition to the bill. Can you please expand?
>> Patrick Kennedy: Yeah, I think the current system is in the working at all for anyone. We certainly shouldn't be app hening and locking sex workers up that's a failed approach it's revimizing people .
Engaging in sex work there is legitimate concern about the bell and what the impacts will be particularly traffic up and down the East Coast.
I think for cultural and other reasons employment in the District of Columbia surrounding jurisdictions with different laws we need to tread carefully around that.
Police resources need to be better focused on trove inics you can change underlying laws
To specific trafficking offenses if you remove all problemible cause and all violations from sex work as a business as it's conducted right now I'm not sure. The police would have a cause of action to investigate some of the complaints.
I think there is away to address this especially to hold our most vulnerable harmless in this entire process. We need to proceed carefully we need to have. [Multiple speakers]
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you your time is up. I would Reich to hear response from Daniel Hernandez who indicated support for that legislation.
>> Daniel Hernandez: Sure. I think there is a couple of things here one we shouldn't be controlling what condition senting adults agree to do as long as they're not harming anyone else.
Beyond that, we can't pretend if have it both ways it's very clear the current situation only leads to more harm. It hurts the people in the system. The policing resources that might otherwise be able to target the trafficking that everyone is very deeply concerned about
Is too often oriented just towards policing the sex workers themselves. We have heard the stories of abuse from police officers and law enforcement across the country.
New Zealand has implemented this successfully there are other countries further ahead Germany and other countries in Europe. This isn't working it's shown that Nordic model is in the as good as the seems
In trafficking and harming the sex working --
>> Fenit Nirappil: Time is up. I will give John an opportunity being active on sex workers , too.
>> John:  As many of you know I represent the red light district as chairman of prostitution and sex working in Logan circle has been historic. And I think the decriminalization does a couple things here. Of course, we want to protect the safety of individuals.
In the line of sex work but also trafficking and my concern is that will only bring more sex work to the street.  So, my concern is the safety, the trafficking of young individuals and that the decriminalization may be protecting the pimps.
So I would look at maybe some line of how is it legalized? Give them a safe place to go --
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you. That's time. And I will also give Yilin Zhang third seconds and Jack Evans 30-seconds as well.
>> Yilin Zhang: Thank you I want to say three quick things this legislation there is no direct causational relationship. If you decrim sex work that does not lead to increase in sex trafficking if we don't decrim this now a lot of sex workers .
Unfortunately they are afraid to seek health care because the discrimination and legal discrimination they would face.
Then I just want to make sure that some of the organization's that have been working on decrim they're working on a 2-part process.  So, decrim now BYP100 I have spoken to.
They are working toward a long term public health approach that the sex workers have access to health care to jobs that pay above minimum wage so they can survive and thrive. Thank you.
>>
>> Fenit Nirappil: Mr. Evans you wanted to add something on this.
>> Evans:  On the third years I have been on the council prostitution has gone down enormal usually:  Specially 13th. And mass sis epicenter. We focus on the Johns and the pimps. Do not arrest the sex workers that does nothing for us.
Focus on the Johns Fe cuss on the pimps one of the first bills is the car seizure bill we seize the cars coming in from Maryland or Virginia release them it was called honey I lost the care --
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you Mr. Evans.
>> Evans:  That is the approach we need to take.
>> Fenit Nirappil: I will need to move to another topic now since we're towards the end. Every candidate will have 30 sectioneds. What area of the criminal Joyce sis in D.C. do you see as the ripest for council oversight what particular program or particular agency you would 0 in on.
We will start with Mr. Fanning. 30-seconds.
>> Fanning:  Good question as you know, I worked in the mayor's office and worked with the office of returning citizens and I supported funding for the 14th street clean time which hires returning citizens but we also.
Focus on hope village and how we -- so we know what's going on outside but we need to know what's going on inside. And because we didn't know what was going in outside because we don't manage the property --
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you Mr. Fanning. Mr. Grossman you are up next.
>> Go ahead.
>> Fenit Nirappil: What do you see as the ripest area for council oversight when it comes to the criminal justice system?
>> Grossman:  There are a lot of areas the metro police department in particular. I worked as a federal judge on D.C.'s federal court we have tons of fan tastek law enforcement officers trying to make things safe. You notice in that report is case after case after case of police reports of their rights being violated this is something we can and should do more of to protect the rights of citizens, and make sure we're protecting their rights.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Mr. Evans.
>> Evans :  This is an easy one we got to get control of our courts and the criminal justice system. Back in the day we used to pay for the courts in the revitalization act of 1996 was the biggest mistake in that act. Without control over apointing our judges and courts our criminal justice system is runned by the court sectly the U.S. attorney.
Does criminal prosecution that needs to be moved to our attorney general's office. Again a deal that was made set up in 1975. -- are
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you Mr. Evans.
>>  No matter time than right now to go after those two ar yeah,s.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Hernandez?
>> Daniel Hernandez: I would like to emphasize an encourage return to more community-Fe cussed policing effort I would like to see police officers much more a part of the community and on foot patrols getting to know residents.
Getting to know the citizens I think a lot of the negative experiences we have with the fighting between comes from not being a part --
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thanks. Patrick Kennedy. 30-seconds .
>> Patrick Kennedy: I also agree we should take the courts back I have to say within the things within our current control for me the one that glares at me is the Department of Youth and rehabilitative services it's been an issue in the city for years council member white was in the middle of this virus.
Concerned about the young ones there. We are failing across areas. We have the most opportunities with young people especially if we emphasize the rehabilitative part of the DYS's name. --
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you. Next is Brooke Pinto. What do you think is the ripest areas for council over sight on criminal jus sis. Please unmute.
>> Brooke Pinto:  Root from the fact we don't have control over our local jails if summon gets sentenced to one day or 1 year they can be shipped off to any where in this country and surprised when they can't reintegrate back into society and their families shouldn't visit them. That's a place to start and follows through to our prosecutorial with the attorney's office with our local crimes and parole board. Right now with our.
System we have to have more body cameras. And increase our -- criminal justice programs.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you. Mrs. Zhang you are up next.
>> Yilin Zhang: You agree with what most of the candidates have said we need to focus on creating an economy that is more diverse and help people of all socioeconomic levels thrive. Ward two specifically we have a significant homeless issue where people don't have access to mental health resources .
Opioid abuse resources and howsing at the same time I'm not saying they don't have access to those resources but it needs a holistic effort of these agent cease working together --
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you your time is up. Mr. Putta your time.
>> I have been doing oversight for the police department in any capacity I can. We work with the police as ANC commissioners I took every opportunity to policing on the council. I joined the citizens engagement academy so I can.
Learn from the top police leaders how they do things and how they can and should be doing things better. I pushed hard with community members. Some people cosponsors of this call. Of this meeting. M love the Muslim community
--
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you your time is up.
>> To be bateer on hate crimes in the immigrant community. Thank you virtual.
>> Fenit Nirappil: With that that is all the questions we have we will move to 1-minute closing statement of each candidate. You can use a closing statement or any debate you would like in this depate. Re the order is randomly chosen. The first is Mrs. Zhang.
>> Yilin Zhang: Thank you again everyone for having us I have been working on D.C. statehood the last 2-and-a-half years with the league of women voters I took part in this issue I really believe everyone needs.
To have a voice that is heard in our democracy and for me, creating policy is one portion of this job but also making sure that when we create policy, that it is properly enforced and there is correct oversight.
When we create rules and regulations it takes in account diversity in our community we want that to stay and to thrive and so I'm committed to working with all organizations. I'm making insure that I have an
Open-door policy. I think the most important thing is you want a
councilmember that is accessible. Whether you are a business or non-profit organization. Soy hope that after this conversation. I have the opportunity to speak to the many wonderful cohosts part of this evening tonight.
Voting for Ward two I'm taking part in the primary and special elections I'm hoping to see you in June 7th. And June 16th.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you virtual. Next is John Fanning.
>> Fanning:  I thought it was over sight and what programs you support. That's why I brought up the office of returning citizens and the clean teams. But I would go back to data.
From the metropolitan police department bias and excessive forced arrested. But I really think this is a great topic because I think there's thing we can work on you know as partners if I do get elected to the city council. One is securing funding from the housing production
Trust fund to create more transitional housing, and I also think that working together we can, um...not treat our, um...residents that are sentences within the system are the least, the lost and the last. I sensed some of that was going on
During the coronavirus transmission and there should have been an action plan to treat to population --
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you your time is up. Next up Jordan Grossman.
>>  Grossman:  To jump back to the decriminalization -- [inaudible] make sure not to touch the ability to combat human traffics Daniel mentioned reducing resouses going after sex workers we can boost efforts in human trafficking and going after folks who are purchasers if I'm selling bread baskets if you are criminalizing customers you are not helping me that is a big reason I support. Decriminalization. More broadly we need.
A council who is going to fight not just yes or no I support this legislation or not that that is very important but is going to do persistent and active oversight over these issues we can prevent violence and incarceration before it happens.
You brought up the D.C. issue it's not that we correct it when it happens we are doing proactive oversight beforehand before we reach this horrible point. Thanks
Again for the conversation I appreciate it.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Next up is Patrick Kennedy.
>> Patrick Kennedy: Thank you and the organizers and ACLU for giving us this opportunity. In the course of my locally. I have been part of community engagement from the ground up you can Silicon Valley Fe people's problems and and achieve great things to look within our own community you have to look at communities across the city. That is the sensibility.
I have tried to carry forward in my work on the ANC doing right by my neighbors in a way that also does right by the effects across the city who come to Ward two. I think the Ward two councilmember you are not just representing in the Ward you are representing businesses you are representing schools, that are used
By people from all across the city there needs to be somebody this this job who has an understanding and degree of social consciousness not for our own constituents but folks across the city.
I'm proud of my work across the decade on the community level and I look forward to having the opportunity to continue on it if I'm elected to council. Thank you for your consideration and listening to me this evening.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Next up is Kishan Putta.
>> Kishan Putta:  Soen thatk you everyone. My name is k Kishan Putta. Before I forget. My website is kishan for dc.com. I wanted to finish off where I started my mother and moth father were born in rural India they didn't have.
Running water or electricity I didn't come from privilege or money but my parents were public servants and to give back to those who are less fortunate
That's why the last year I have worked in every Ward of D.C. helping the vulnerable get health care access.
That's why the surgery general is the one that supports me for this health crisis he lives in Ward two.
I will look out for all communities including immigrant community that does not have representation on the council. That is diversity we need for our city. I will never forget them. Thank you virtual.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Next up for closing statements is Daniel Hernandez.
>> Daniel Hernandez: As we talk about the range of issues we touched on here tonight and the many issues we didn't get to. It's important to realize these aren't just abstract ideas or things that would be nice. These are policies .
And decisions that have a real impact on poem's lives. And on some people's deaths. I think it's important to have someone who has a personal connection and personal experience to many of these necessary reforms.
Like I mentioned in my introduction, I grew up around the harm that the war on drugs the war on poverty that has been conducted over the past 30 or 40 years and before that to a degree.
I will take the issues seriously and first and foremost on my mind thank you have a good evening.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Next up is Brooke Pinto.
>> Brooke Pinto:  Thanks three clarifications Jack is the only person that has dealt with the budget that is in the true I worked with tax and revenue and worked on the citywide budget to Jordan's point of it being the rainy day it's a nice idea but the rainy day fund has to be replan herbed for the next rainy day it's irresponsible. To do so. We can recognize with can.
Ker care for those among us and the long term of our city and they're no exclusive.
I dealt with somebody last manys trafficed and too fearful to come forward because of the criminalization it's important to advise these crimes or arrests in these cases but another thing to make clear in the law. The jails and justice. I was
Proud to serve on the mayor's task force for justice I'm hopeful this craved provides an opportunity for us if make longer term progressive reforms.
>> Fenit Nirappil: That can thanks your time is up. The final statement of the night goes to Jack Evans.
>> Jack Evans:  I would like to thank you ACLU I have been a member the last 20 years and putting on this forum on very important issues. The city and world have changed the last few months and the next councilmember has to be knowledgeable about the finances there is no way around it.
We will be facing a billion dollar shortfall very quickly all the programs in the world are going if be in danger unless we solve this problem. In the Washington Post said it bluntly Jack Evans remains the district's most knowledgeable and experienced on finances that's what we need on the council today.
This is an opportunity as well. As I mentioned you don't have criminal over our courts we don't have control over our criminal justice and it costs $300 million a year to do that.
This is an opportunity I believe to get those things back if we manage everything correctly. Again, for the last 30 years I have worked with the ACLU on a number of issues, and will continue to do this as your councilmember making this a city that works for all of us.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you virtual for having us tonight.
>> That is it for our Ward two candidate forum thank you for the candidates giving us perfect attendance tonight. Remember that the primary election is June 2nd and the special election I'm about to blank on it.
>> June 16th.
>> June 16th. Be sure to participate in both elections and remember the board of elections is urging everyone absentee ballot you can do through mid may.
>> Thank Fenit I appreciate it. Thanks everyone.
>> Good night.
>> Good night to the Ward two candidates. This is Monica Hopkins. Once again, I'm the executive Director of The ACLU of D.C.  So, thank you to all of the candidates again. Don't forget to request absentee ballot for the June 2nd primary you can do that going to D.C. BOE.org. This is a mid.
Point reminder as we move to the Ward four candidates who will be joining us in a moment, for those of you who are joining us on Zoom and new to joining us we will not have access to your video so we can't see you or to your audio
If you would like to ask questions, please do so using the Q and A box at the bottom of your screen and answering questions will be at the discretion of the moderator as our moderator I'm delighted. That Fenit Nirappil of the Washington Post of our dogged D.C. reportser has joined us as a moderator.
Those of you that don't know Fenit, Fenit covers D.C. government and politics for the Washington Post. Before he joined the Washington Post in 2015 he covered the California State House for the associated press and suburban government outside Portland Oregon
For the Oregonean
One more note we do have closed captioning on this webinar additionally, we do have translators available for this webinar.
If you need translation services, please call the number that is on your screen. We will also put it in the chat
>> Fenit Nirappil: With that we will get started a one minute for the candidates we will start with Janeese Lewis George.
>>
>> Janeese Lewis Goerge: Born and raised in Ward four where I'm running for council. I am deeply rooted in making sure that we have a criminal justice system that works for all of us and for me. That starts because of what SRAOERPBSed growing up.
On second and can de street losing families to criminal justice system and gun violence as working as assistant attorney general and speaking to members and family members who lost members of their family I'm committed to finding evidence based solutions to solving crime. I have worked with these solutions at the
Attorney general's office and I want us to solve our criminal justice system problems we see every day playing out especially now during our COVID-19 crisis. I look forward to this conversation tonight.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you. Mrs. Edwards.
>> Marlena Edwards: Good evening. My name is Marlena Edwards and I'm appreciative to the ACLU and your partners for inviting us to speak this evening.
As you know, I'm a candidate for Ward four. I'm a Washington ian and lifelong Ward four residents.
I have a master's of social work and over 23 years experience working in the district government so I have worked extensively with individuals who have been touched by the criminal justice system
And I have actually worked with individuals in prison or people reentering into society and assisting reintegrating back into the community.
I have also worked on numerous committees and boards throughout the city that deal with social justice and with those who are disenfranchised so I thank you again for the opportunity to be here with you this evening.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you both for your opening statements both candidates here tonight are 1ing against incumbent Brandon Todd. How would you grade Brandon Todd's performance on criminal justice issues in particular? We will start.
Off with Janeese Lewis George
>> Janeese Lewis Goerge: Our biggest issue when comes to public safety in our Ward of criminal justice system he focuses on using the same practices over and over again that haven't gotten results.
His fall back is always on policing and increasing police presence as if that is the solution. He has been reactive instead of proactive. One thing that will be different for me in the Ward council is I will be proactive to solving community in safety.
I know expanding the violence interrupters in Ward four is. I sure engaging our community members is going to be the case fully implements the cur act is a way of solving these problems and MPD is compliant with that. I will have to
Oversight and be an active council members rather than reactionary that follow practices that don't work.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you. Mrs. Edwards?
>> Marlena Edwards: I would got grade the councilmember at all. There are serious issues that continue here in Ward four. We need to be proactive and we need to have more satellite policing.
More foot patrols more segues in the community more interaction with the police on the ground and actually speaking with community members as opposed to writing around in vehicles.
Also we need to look at an overall public safety plan because there are issues with even school children. Families expressed if me their school children may possibly face gang violence just trying to walk home from school.
So we need a better solution and I believe I have the experience and able to collaborate with the different groups in the area to get them working together so we have a better public safety plan in the Ward.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you. The next question is, what people and what organizations would you rely on the most for advice on criminal justice issues if you are elected to the DC Council. We will start off with Mrs. EWards?
>> Marlena Edwards: Yes. One of the organizations -- well the key organization would be the metropolitan police department. The District of Attorney general's office. The U.S. attorney general's office to look at the funding that is coming down.
So, that we make we're getting our adequate share of funding coming into the district to assist with financing programs. And also with community groups. I have been on the board of directors for the united planning organization
Developing family center other groups Mary beacon of light looking at the situation with individuals who are disenfranchised and suffer with poverty.  So, those are the key groups the community as well needs a hand
And also the end user and get their opinion and their feedback on how we're doing.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you. And Janeese Lewis George what would be your key areas for advice on criminal justice issues?
>> Janeese Lewis Goerge: My key advice on criminal justice .
>> Fenit Nirappil: Key sources of support or your key sources of advice.
>> Janeese Lewis Goerge: For me some of my key sources of advice will come from as I said today community members working with our neighborhood CAC.  Working with the organizations here before you on the call from the ACLU to the reentry.
To Black Lives Matter. D.C. working with government organizations the attorney general's office the office of neighborhood and safety engagement working with our faith-based community organizations and members
Who have been a part of Ward tour and solving these problems. One of the things we have seen that is helpful in Chicago is they created the partnership for safe and peaceful communities which say collaborative with about 70 community organizations and entities
I want to see as a council creating that same organization here a partnership of peaceful communities that will involve the organizations on this call
And community and government stakeholders and organizations placed on this call today.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you.  So, the next question and this is coming from our community organizers we have seen a lot of localities including D.C. taking steps to reduce the prison and jail populations during the coronavirus outbreaks for example. In D.C. police stop taking people into custody for for low-level offenses do you.
Think these practices should be made performance once the public health emergency isn't over we will start with gentleman niece Lewis George
>> Janeese Lewis Goerge: We have to focus on reducing violent crime. The way we do that is stop criminalizing a lot of our crimes I would consider crimes of social conditions that people have been a part of.
So we absolutely want to focus our resources on reducing gun violence and violent crimes and taking away necessary the police resources on these smaller offenses that don't do anything but contribute to the mass incarceration
Of blank black and brown family and members of ocommunities we need to take the step forward. COVID-19 has shown us weaknesses in our system. The weakness we have seen is focus on small-level offenses is a waste of our time and we should spend our time on issues in criminal justice.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Do you believe the policies put in place to reduce the jail population should be made permanent after COVID-19?
>> Marlena Edwards: Yes. Definitely. The policies need to be more aggressive. And we need to look at more of the issues that deal with people with mass incarceration.
In January. I attended a conviction integrity unit started by the district attorney Paul Howard there in [inaudible] county at the Tyler Perry studio and to deal with the fact that there are people being sentenced with crimes
Much too long inordinately sentenced and they want to look at getting it right in terms of were people sentenced properly or over sentenced and do we need to just get them out of jail?
And there's a lot of racial bias when it comes to crimes.  So, there's definitely room for improvement and to continue on with releasing people from jail who do not need to be there.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you. We will now go to a question from the audience this is Tiffany. Balden. How do you overcome the lack of trust and MPD and the police in general and the black and brown commit in order to truly have policing we will start with Janeese Lewis George.
>> Janeese Lewis Goerge: Reovercome that trust by MPD taking account ability for the practices happening. We encourage this trust by making sure that gun recovery unit officers are not taking photos with white supremacy symbols.
And happily wearing those symbols as they stop and frisk black and brown children. We take it back having police officers not just reacting to crime but being part of our communities coming into our communities
In a positive way not just when we see them when a crime happens they get out of their cars here in Ward four. We see officers in their car sitting in their cars
But never getting out talking engaging with our community members and we want to see more of that. We do that by MPD stopping their practices of harassment in our black and brown communities that's how we build trust
With accountability and oversight in our MPD deposition
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you. Mar Marlena Edwards what is your response.
>> Marlena Edwards: I'm sorry. Please repeat the question.
>> Fenit Nirappil: The question was, um...-- I'm sorry. I lost my place. I'm sorry I lost my place here. Janeese Lewis George.
>> Janeese Lewis Goerge: How do we build community trust with our metropolitan police department?
>> Marlena Edwards: Thank you so much. As I mentioned before, we need more community policing. There are quite a few officers here in the Ward four community who a lot of us know personally.
We need more community policing. Also, we need more training and as an individual has master's in social work, there are colleagues of mine who worked on initiatives where they have gone into the metropolitan police department
In order to provide training for police officers because there's different issues that they may have problems with such one key issue is mental health. And understanding how to deal with mental health patients so they don't end up getting killed because
People don't understand they are in psychiatric distress. Just getting more officers on the ground, reinstituting the officer friendly program so officeers are going back into the schools to children don't fear the police
Or their family members or community members no longer continue to fair each other but --
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you your time is up.
>> Marlena Edwards: How to work together.
>> Fenit Nirappil: One of the major issues with the D.C. council dealing with after COVID-19 is the hit to the budget and we're expecting hundreds of millions of dollars if not more to be cut from the budget area.
What areas would you prioritize the highest in the budget to protect from cuts.
>> Marlena Edwards:?
>> Marlena Edwards: Any that deal with the Department of Youth and rehabilitation services to make sure that we are able to deal with and help youth before they go to harder criminal activity and give back to the community.
That's one area that is one area I would not cut and also any of the programs dealing with SOSA that deal with helping people to get back into the community, to get into half way houses
Making sure those programs are not cut that helped to provide wrap around services to individual who are coming out of probable causeen so they can come back and be participating members in our community
>> Fenit Nirappil: Janeese Lewis George?
>> Janeese Lewis Goerge: Yeah, for me I look at our budget as a reflection of our priorities as a city. And I recognize that the crisis we're in right now we're going to see some budget cuts but I think it's a time for us to actually dig deep.
Look at our broken procurement system and fix it. Look where we're duplicating funds, and fix that and find ways. We have to still prioritize housing fund and housing needs and make sure we have affordable housing in our city.
We still have to prioritize our youth our young people when it comes to education that means making sure right now we are not foregoing head start funding and funding at this moment.
We need to prioritize education in our students, and the money they need. Our small businesses are suffering our independent contractors need support.
Prioritizing and making sure small businesses can survive this. And undocumented works also can survive this has to be a priority for us. Those are the areas I think we cannot bend on and we have to protect our community and support them in every single way we can.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you. Here's the flip side of that question. What areas in the D.C. area is ripe for cuts and help us preserve money for other priorities starting off with Janeese Lewis George what would you like to see cut from the D.C. budget?
>> Janeese Lewis Goerge: One area we see has bloated funding is events D.C. budget we talked about that in the past and the events from D.C. we have seen that recently when we talked about needing to support right now workers who don't follow under unemployment insurance and taken that money from events D.C. currently. I think we can do that. I think we need to look at.
DCP S's actual the quarantine office in the to our education system but the main office BCBS and look how that funding is happening with administrators, and getting down to our students making sure the funding is actually going to students
And not high-paid workers in D.C. main office. I think we need to make sure that the interlock gaming debookle occurred so sporting gameing isn't a priority. These are areas
We can make changes, and find procurement and see where we're wasting money and find where it needs to go in those systems.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you. Marlena Edwards what areas do you see as right for cutting in the D.C. budget?
>> Marlena Edwards: I agree with Mrs. Lewis George with events D.C. I was also going to mention D.C. arts and humanities now it a time we're buckling down. This COVID 19 is going to change everything.
So that's two areas that need to be looked at. And more specifically, overall, general contracting and procurement throughout the district government because there's a lot of waste with services
That had been contracted out that were done by district government workers and you don't seed -- previously you don't see any savings.
>> Fenit Nirappil: All right. Now, that we discussed the budget, let's talk about another area common for councilmembers Ward member councilmembers that's constituent services one of the complaints councilmembers get from constituents is.
Public safety eother about recent shootings on their block or crime concerns how do you balance the concerns that want to see more policing from the calling who don't want to see over policing?
We will start off with Marlena Edwards
>> Marlena Edwards: Well, um...how you would balance it is to make sure you have as a Ward council member. To make sure that you have a very tight team colliesly to the community that has a good understanding what is going on.
In terms of public safety and also making sure that regular issues are being met whether it's the street light that's out or whether it's the pothole that's out just make sure that -- and also working in tandem with ANC meetings. The ANC commissioners
The ANC meetings if find out what are the granular issues happening in terms of crime.  So, you make sure more serious crime that is happening embedded and hidden in the community is getting addressed.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Janeese Lewis George how do you balance the calls for more policing with the calls for less policing.
>> Janeese Lewis Goerge: Yeah. How we balance it is delivering results. Whew talk to Ward four neighbors across you are Ward. They don't tell me they want more policing they tell me they want to.
Feel safe in their neighborhoods they don't tell me more policing they want solutions to solving public safety because over and over again, they haven't seen real solutions they have seen over and over again promises being made that haven't been met.
I think the way you solve that problem is by showing them and delivering results. And actually introducing real legislation to make that happen. Soy don't think our community as a whole want to just
See more police they want their families to be safe they want to be able to walk to their neighborhood store send their kids to school and feel good about them coming back. That's what I have heard overwhelmingly in Ward four
We talk about constituent services and everyone working together and being responsive to the community
>> Fenit Nirappil: We will go back to the community for questions. This is submitted by Tamika Benman do you support the decriminalization of drug and sex work. We will start with.
Marlena Edwards .
>> Marlena Edwards: In. I do not support the full decriminalization. I would say, with drug -- let's start with sex worker first. As a social worker, it is my job to look out for public safety and it is very hard to know.
Whether someone is participating in sex work voluntarily if it's by force or if it's by human trafficking. At this time I cannot support decriminalizing it. Now, terms of drug par phren nail yeah, -- with you are laws whether it's the medicinal or the quantities you have
Then yes I agree with decriminalizing it.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Janeese Lewis George where do you stand on decriminalizing marijuana and sex work.
>> Janeese Lewis Goerge: I'm in support of it we talked about decriminalizing sex work. The difference between sex work and sex trafficking and the current law that David Graso introduced made clear trafficking laws would remain the same. Criminalization creates the condition for our people.
To continue to be exploited that's why we need to change our approach. 85% of D.C. transworkers are black and Latin X and 35% of D.C. trove sex workers are homeless. Let's recognize the person's agency over their life and their body
And let's stop con planing sex work with sex trafficking I worked at the task force in the attorney general's office. I did work in hope court that helps a part of sex trafficking I don't think those things have to be mutually exclusive. There's a narrative
Continued to be made around it. We have to remove the criminal punishment for sex work that would decrease the same and stigma and guilt and provide more opportunities for black communities to heal around sex trauma.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Marlena Edwards I will give you a 45 second rebuttal.
>> Marlena Edwards: Fabulous. There is the center headed up by ruby Coronado that deals with transgender issues that is right here in my immediate neighborhood. We need more funding.
At the D.C. office of human rights so they can have more programs for people who have different problems that may pertain to transgender or LGBTQ issues. Programs,
Safe places such as housing that's how I would deal with pulling people possibly having to use sex work as a means of income but rather. Providing more funding so we can assist them so they can mainstream
Anyone facing any of those types of issues can mainstream back into society safely.
>> Fenit Nirappil: All right. Thank you. We're going to shift into lightning round questions I will ask you to keep your answer yes or no. And a very brief description at that. We will elaborate if you disagree on these issues to start off. Do you support.
Ending the practice of police stop and frisk. Marlena Edwards?
>> Marlena Edwards: Yes I definitely support it. Mrs. George?
>> Janeese Lewis Goerge: Yes I support it. We have seen it doesn't work.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Do you support the mayor surveillance rebate program the sponsors for this argument surveillance do not lead to crime deterrence Mrs. George where do you stand.
On the surveillance program.
>> Janeese Lewis Goerge: I think the program needs to definitely recognize people's private ability to not be surveillanceed by the police. I have huge issues with us relying on that program to reduce crime. I don't think it's the only solution.
And it's been treated as the number one solution for solving crime we have seen it has not done that. And people's civil liberties are at steak with these programs we need more resec and oversight what is happening in these surveillance programs and we just don't have that
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank U Mrs. Edwards where do you stand on the surveillance rebate program.
>> Marlena Edwards: In terms of the surveillance rebate program I have seen individuals who are in crime neighborhoods where there's lots of crime where it has be helpful and helps them to feel protected but we do not want overreaching by government.
Where the surveillance overreachs into anyone's constitutional rights.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you. Next question. Would you support the creation of a civilian oversight board of metro transit police. Mrs. Edwards?
>> Marlena Edwards: Yes. Definitely.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Mrs. George.
>> Yes [inaudible] we need to do more in that area.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Do you support the Second Amendment act for young adults who committed their offense between the ages of 18 and 25. Mrs. George.
>> Yes absolutely I was upset with the U.S. attorney's office doing lobbying against someone we know is evidence based research neuroscience based I was absolutely in supportive it.
And upset with the U.S. attorney's offices attack against that bill.
>> Mrs. Edwards where do you stand on the second look amendment act?
>> Marlena Edwards: Definitely. It needs to be instituted nationwide. As I mentioned before in January I participated in the conviction integrity unit inaugural that happened in Georgia we need the.
The same to happen in the District of Columbia or nationwide even if it's youth 18 to 25 or adults that we're revisiting their sentences because people do not deserve their civil rights to be trounced upon
By what may have been a minor crime at that time. And improper sentencing.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you.  So, for everyone's been listening you have probably been hearing a lot of agreement on the issues except decriminalizing sex work. I want you to make the case why are you a better alternative than the incum want and the challenger today.
Let's start off with Mrs. George what makes you best in the field.
>> Janeese Lewis Goerge: What is important is I'm in this race I have real life experience not only in just the criminal justice field but my family had to deal with howsing displacement. I had to take unpaid leave.
That's why paid family leave is so important to me. I have had family members incarcerated I have had family neighbors fall
Ill if gun violence. I am the only candidate working in the criminal justice system in the last five years
I'm the only fair elections con date meaning I'm not taking corporate money I'm unbought and [inaudible] by the current administration
And fight for people for working families my stake in this race is in the just as an attorney general I served on the school board
In two key areas we talk about criminal justice I have experience in that area I don't think it's just that experience it's the experience I have a living life in D.C.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you.
>> Janeese Lewis Goerge: Process party not reaching all of us and working families.
>> Fenit Nirappil: That's time. Mrs. Edwards what makes you the best candidate for council in the Ward four field.
>> Marlena Edwards: It's because I have over 30 years of experience. I have worked with the district government.
For 23 years to help families navigate the social services system. Also I have worked extensively on the ground organizations in Ward four. I have been a member of the Ward four democrats.
The shepherd park civic association. I have been a representative for the D.C. Democrat stake committee I won by the highest vote in the position 7,000 votes
By the Ward for the voters which shows nay have confidence in my ability to fight for them and advocate for them.  So, that's why I'm the best candidate because of my record citywide of being known as
One who fights for the community.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Janeese Lewis George what is your response to her contention that her background holding civic leadership posts makes her the better candidate.
>> Janeese Lewis Goerge: For most s I I have hold most of the posted you site. I'm on the executive board and served on the school board as well.  So, I have done service in this city.
But I don't think that is what we need. We want -- people want someone who is going to be accountable to Ward four Ward four communities who is going to be a listener. Who is going to be a fighter and work with them. Someone focused on
Evidence-based solutions that work not just in criminal justice and education in housing someone who is going to actually listen to the community and actually make decisions regarding that
So, for me it's not just about what's on your resume, it's about what drives this for you where is your passion? For me like I said before my stake in this is doing
A third generation Washington ian growing up in Ward four and I have seen that prosperity not reach everyone. I have seen it seen eats a right not the privilege it is.
It's not the resume it's where is your fight and mine comes from my experience that I share with Ward four residents that want representations that is unbought and unboss and fighting for
Ward four family lease that is why I'm endorsed 15 organizations
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you.
>> Janeese Lewis Goerge: From teachers unions I work with them and continue to fight for our community.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Marlena Edwards I will give you a one minute rebuttal.
>> Marlena Edwards: Thank you so much. In terms of this Ward four city council I'm a life-long Ward four resident and I am also a self-funded candidate as opposed to getting any money from any corporations people on the outside.
So, I do serve as an independent individual and as an MSW, we're not in that profession for the jury we are the individuals on the ground, first responders to help people dealing whether it is education whether it's socioeconomic issues health care whatever it may be from birth
To death we're on the ground with issues everyone faces
>> Fenit Nirappil: Let's shift back to policy questions the fate of the district half way houses uncertain right now. Would you support a half way house onward four? That is kind of construction facilities .
Is the type that typically generates community opposition would you be in favor if there is a proposal for a half way house in world war? Marlena Edwards?
>> Marlena Edwards: Yes I would support it and I must say that there has been lots of individuals with saying , in fact, Ward four has had too many group homes or half way homes in the area.
I would support it as long as it's in an environment where individuals would be able to flourish and we would be able to function in the community.
We do have I would in the say half way houses but group homes that function very well in the community right here in Shepherd Park. In taco ma D.C. as long as it's well planned  well monitored it can work.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Janeese Lewis George what is your answer.
>> Janeese Lewis Goerge: Yes. Absolutely. One of the key issuess when we talk about reentry into the community and having more supports in place for citizens who are.
Returning home and so we need transitional housing and we can't reject community members trying to take steps to improve their lives.
I don't want to see transitional housing just to house. I want to see support serves in place job services making sure they can expunge their records and apply for jobs, and have the supports they need
When we talk about the trauma or PTSD come from being in this society having the support they need from psychologists and social workers having that support system in place for our rushing citizens
I want to see transitional house that takes into account all residents need when they come back here. Making them transition to affordable housing jobs being able to get the services they need.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you. The next question is would you support reducing the presence and number of police officers in D.C. schools. Janeese Lewis George?
>> Janeese Lewis Goerge: Yeah. When we talk about MPD's budget one of the biggest contracts they have is with police officers in schools one of the biggest funds we.
And what we talk about what we need more in schools I would like to see that funding go towards social workers in our school many Ward 4le skus have asked for that from Roosevelt to Mcfar land they asked for more social workers and social support more trauma support for training and teachers
And support in our system when we tack about the School of Prison pipeline I worked as a city core member we come in and recognize there are four factors your math score, your reading score your behavior and attendance score
That determines whether you were going to drop out or not. We as core members got in there. Took those stents, and got them back on track by recuseing problems in these areas that is how we solve in this prison pipeline.
More support for trauma mat base psychologists and more teachers and more learning.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Mrs. Edwards?
>> Marlena Edwards:. No I would not reduce the police presence in District of Columbia schools at this time because there are a whole lot of other issues people are concerned about safety. The students are concerned about safety.
The teachers are concerned about safety the parents, the community.  So, I have actually worked with DCP S, office after the state school superintendent and child and family on initiatives that would help to bring more services
Into DCP S and OSIE such as social workers, nurses, speech pathology, any of the school-based services that are needed in order to deal with a lot of the socioeconomic
Issues that our children deal with and bring all of that tension and trauma to school.
No I would not reduce police officers at this time while we're trying to work on getting to the root or we need to have a
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you.
>> Marlena Edwards: Robust staffing to deal with the psycho-social issues .
>> Fenit Nirappil: Another question from the community this comes from bill rice. How can we bring home the 4,000 D.C. resident in states in bureau facilities, and half way houses across the nation we will start with Janeese Lewis George.
>> Janeese Lewis Goerge: When we talk about how to do that we have to figure out our current system. Right now, statehood has been a current incumbrance to that problem. We need statehood we needed it yesterday.
Honestly we have seen with COVID-19 not being a state has hurt us we missed out $7050 million because we're not a treat and not treated as a state which we're fighting for now.
We have to get back control over our criminal justice system that includes the U.S. attorney's office right now which is runned by whoever is appointed by the president. At this time is Donald Trump.
So we need to switch that attorney general office elected by us. We need to switch parole office as well in jurisdiction of parole back over to local jurisdiction and I think we have to recognize
That statehood as been incumbrance to this problem. And at the attorney general's office we have been particularly frustrating not having a say how we address public safety and crime --
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you. Marlena Edwards how would you address the issues of thousands of D.C.
Residents incarcerated elsewhere in the country.
>> Marlena Edwards: First of all we need to look at the funding the District of Columbia receives it's adequate so we can put proper programs in place for returning citizens.
I've actually volunteered over 2-year period I would spend the night at transitional home located in Ward four. We need more affordable howsing and to work with more of community groups faith-based groups
Affordable howsing I have been on the board of directors emry beacon of light which built 90 units of us hoing so there is transitional housing component you must earn under 60 think not over 60,000 to be able to live there.
If you have more community groups that money can get if build affordable housing more community groups with wrap around services then yes we will be able to slowly begin integrating the 4,000 individuals back e
Into our city.
>> Fenit Nirappil: We have two more questions before we move to closing statements the also next is community question for Allison horn. What is your thoughts on how the Department of Corrections has handled. COVID-19 D.C. jail and what would you have done differently if anything. We will start off with Marlena Edwards.
>> Marlena Edwards: This COVID-19 problem was handled very poorly at our city's correctional center. I would have looked at any other facilities that the direct of Columbia would have been able to reopen on a a, temporary basis.
In order to have social servicing it was not dealt with quickly enough. You have the officers getting sick inordernantly. The prisoners are getting sick inordernantly. We needed to look at a better social distancing plan.
That is how I would have dealt with it with any facility D.C. or St. Edwards Elizabeth hospital that could have been opened to deal with this.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you. Janeese Lewis George what would you have done differently about the D.C. jail and COVID-19.
>> The first question is how did I feel about it? I think it was poorly handled we had a number of organizations warned about what COVID-19 impact could be and would be. And we didn't hear leadership listening and as a result, we lost lives.
We had correctional officers inmates getting sick. We talk about the conditions we had inmates not being able to take showers not being able to reach legal council or families not being able to have new clothes so I think it was inhumane. I think it was handled poorly I think what we should have done first
Of all is take he'd from the beginning and create a plan where we were releasing individuals that could be released and making sure that reduce the population
I think we should have had safety guards in place to make sure people were protected we should have found alternatives for individuals to be placed. We should have absolutely acted more swiftly. I want to know
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you. That is time.  So, in our next [audio cutting out] Nicole Porter. How do eyou define safety for Ward four? We will start with Marlena Edwards.
.
>> Marlena Edwards: I define safety as having as having proper howsing in place. You do have a quiet issue with homelessness. There needs to be more transitional housing that helps with safety.
Also with having more on the ground policing with foot patrols with segues to individuals feel comfortable. No matter which part of Ward four you are in.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Janeese Lewis George how would you define safety for Ward four.
>> Janeese Lewis Goerge: I think safety for Ward four is about the about to thrive as an individual and the community safety is about feeling -- families, feeling like they can send their children to school and they will have safe passage.
That means even when it comes if our transit system and other systems in place
We have safe streets safe intersections for students to be able to travel in. Looks like people not being afraid of the police officers in our community but making sure that they know who the police officers are
And don't see them as just reactionary but proactive members in being part of our community.
Safety looks like all of our community members being treated fairly. And having the dignity they deserve and their families deserve safety is a piece of mind and one of the ways you have piece of mind is having leaders who are going to make
Sure you are protected and cared for and use evidence-based solutions that work.
>> Fenit Nirappil: With that that is all the questions we have. We will let the candidates finish with a 1-minute closing statement we will start with Janeese Lewis cornily and then. Mrs. Edwards .
>> Janeese Lewis Goerge: Thank you to the organizations on this call for having this and thank you for hosting. Listen, we are in a space with COVID-19 we have seen systems in our city.
That are broken. Systems that many of us have on this call have been fighting against. When we talk about stay at home. Right? We have been talking about solving our problems
And chronic homelessness and affordable housing before COVID-19 occurred.  So, even more than now. We need leaders going to fight for affordable housing.
We have been talking about inequities and havinging strong neighborhood schools we have students right now during this crisis haven't been able to have internet access or have computers
When we talk about health, we knew that Ward seven, Ward eight, didn't have a providence hospital closed and there were inequities in our health system. We have seen COVID 19 have an impact. We have seen front line workers have to go to work and not get the wages and fairness they deserve
All of these issues have been broken we need leaders who understand not just during the crisis we have to fix this. But they understand even before that's why I'm running to fix these systems to fight for working people and
Working families
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you.
>> Janeese Lewis Goerge: In this city and join us for Janeese dot consume.
>> Fenit Nirappil: Thank you. Mrs. Edwards you get the last word.
>> Marlena Edwards: Thank you to ACLU and all of the community groups that hosted this forum again thank you for this opportunity. I'm a passionate community activist and committed to social justice. I have 30 years of professional.
Experience here within the District of Columbia working not only with district leaders, executive directors and other working with directors on the national level.
I have worked on a transition time for attorney general [inaudible] mayor bowser and grey. And worked extensively with issues related to community health economic development and legislative policy it's very critical you have a leader who can look at issues that are happening
Holisticly we want to talk about issues such as public safety and crime. A lot of that is connected to jobs.
We look at the Walter Reed development is moving too slowly and provide jobs for individuals. I thank you for this time and em passioned about being the lead re here for Ward four and to work for the entire.
re city.
>> Fenit Nirappil: That is a wrap for Ward four thank you for tuning in remember the primary evex is June 2nd and the board of elections to vet absentee to reduce contracting coronavirus. You have.
A month longer to request your absentee ballot you can go to the board of D.C. ballot for --
>> Monica Hopkins:. I want to thank Ward four candidates answering these questions those of you stayed with us for the duration I want to thank the Ward two candidates. I want to thank Fenit for hanging tough.
For two full hours of candidate questioning over Zoom. We're really glad everyone joined for this virtual candidate forum I want to thank our cosponsors and collaborators who are pictured on your screen today once again, remember
To request and absentee ballot through D.C. BOE dot org. Thank you to everyone and have a fantastic night.
>> Thank you.
