Addressing Public Safety With Ideas, Action & Results

By Kathy Miller

Low graduation rates, a drug epidemic, graffiti, high crime, gangs and an over-crowded jail foster a negative perception of our community. Stockton's image keeps us from attracting higher-paying employers, contributes to our "brain drain" and becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy.

No More Excuses!

We must have an expanded jail with drug rehabilitation and workforce development programs. Inmates should graduate from jail as productive taxpayers.

We cannot just arrest and incarcerate our way out of these problems.

We need creative after school programs that are available to all children. They must challenge young minds, exercise young muscles and be fun! Graduation rates have fallen to all-time lows. Bored and unsupervised teens and pre-teens have become our worst nightmare, evidenced on flat surfaces all over town.

We must significantly expand drug and gang prevention programs to prevent crime before it occurs. We must save our kids before they become victimized or worse, recruited, by criminals. San Joaquin County judges report that every dollar invested in prevention yields a savings of $38 "downstream" in the judicial system.

As a community, we can do this.

We can forge new, creative partnerships with law enforcement and our schools and invest in quality programs that produce responsible citizens.

As your Councilmember from District 2, I will listen and make decisions within a context of building coalitions, replacing cynicism with shared vision, and managing resources for maximum results.

That is my commitment to you. To get there, I ask for your vote.