Safer Streets for Sacramento

By Kevin Johnson

As crime rises, Kevin Johnson opposes cutbacks in fire and police services

As the Mayor and leader of this city, one of my primary responsibilities will be ensuring the safety and security of our citizens. My goal is to reverse the trend of the last 7 years and reduce crime significantly. My long term vision is that we have the lowest crime rates of the 50 largest cities in the country. In order to make that happen we must make public safety a priority. And it will be a priority in my administration.

A Johnson Administration Will:

-- Address gang violence through a multi-pronged approach including a "Gang Taskforce" and "Gang Summit".

-- Put more sworn officers on the street.

-- Take a more proactive, community-based approach to crime prevention.

-- Decrease response times and improve the rates of investigation of property crimes.

-- Crack down on truancy and engage at risk youth in prevention and intervention programs.

-- Add surveillance cameras in high crime areas as a deterrent and assistance in crime investigation.

-- Implement a zero tolerance policy for crime and harassment on public transit.

Accomplishing these initiatives will require not only the prioritization of public safety but the collaboration of agencies across the city and region.

Key Points:

-- We face a significant challenge in our city as violent crimes have increased by 55% and assaults have gone up by 74% in the last 7 years.

-- Residents need to believe in the ability of our police department to get things done.

-- It is important to economic growth that citizens and businesses feel the city is a safe environment to live and work.

-- Despite the tough economic environment, we cannot compromise public safety or put the burden of budget cuts on the backs of our police force.

-- Every neighborhood needs high levels of service. We must ensure that focusing on high crime areas can happen while also providing responsiveness equally to all areas of the city.

I will address the crime and violence problems in Sacramento in a swift and decisive manner. A "hands off" approach to public safety has clearly not worked for our city. We need to be aggressive about fighting crime on the streets, but also think more proactively about what is leading to the increases in crime and how we can prevent it on the front end.