Police car parked in front of a building with a large tree, yellow tape cordoning off the area, and an American flag flying.

We do not want to find out the hard way that we are not as safe as we think we are.

I speak from personal experience when I say that we can do more to keep our neighborhoods safe.

My Experience

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

I have a vision for expanding public safety and preparedness by leveraging what makes La Verne so strong—community. In my “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” Campaign, I envision expanding existing city resources (with minimal costs) by using resident-based participation. Two examples include Neighborhood Watch and CERT Training.

  1. Every District 1 neighborhood should have an active Neighborhood Watch program that helps prevent and report public-safety concerns while allowing our Police Department to use its resources more effectively. Education about cameras, lighting, “see something, say something,” and coordinated responses to neighborhood concerns can produce safer neighborhoods with minimal demands on city resources.

  2. Our goal should be at least one trained Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) member for every two neighborhoods. These volunteers could help educate and prepare residents, identify potential hazards, and assist during emergencies. An expanded CERT program could also support community events, including the annual walk/run, reducing the need for city personnel and associated costs.

Safer La Verne

La Verne is one city, but each council district faces distinct challenges arising from its location, infrastructure and surrounding activity. The A Line creates opportunities for La Verne, but it also presents public-safety and infrastructure challenges that particularly affect connected areas such as District 1. I believe in making our city defensible against public safety threats so that we minimize crime before it comes and adequately respond to it when it happens. In addition to “Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” my “Safer La Verne” initiative would include the following:

  1. Transit connectivity and regional homelessness create new public-safety, humanitarian and service-delivery challenges for La Verne. I would advocate that the city audits alleys, walkways, parks, parking areas, transit approaches, and intersections for poor visibility. I would advocate for a plan to install pedestrian-scale lighting, trim landscaping that creates hiding places, and redesign obstructed sightlines. I would urge the city to include strategically placed street lighting in its capital-improvement planning for District 1.

  2. District 1 Beautification:Support a resident-led beautification committee that maintains and enhances La Verne’s distinctive character while addressing conditions that can invite neglect or unlawful activity.

  3. Develop intergenerational programs connecting seniors, families, students and volunteers through wellness checks, emergency preparation, neighborhood events and hazard reporting. As a councilmember, I would work with businesses, schools and community organizations to build and sustain this network.

  4. Video Camera Registry: I would be interested in gathering public opinion on a voluntary registry through which residents and businesses may indicate that they possess exterior cameras. Police could request relevant footage after an incident, but the city would not receive continuous access.