1. If elected or re-elected to the city council, will you propose programs and/or initiatives to limit the number of arrests for minor offenses in the city?
Calvo:
I will work with the Police Director to create a warning system for minor offenders. A centralized database of people falling into this category could be referred to case managers or social workers.
2. If elected or re-elected to the city council, will you support a pre-booking diversion program for drug-related offenses and for those suffering from mental health issues?
Calvo:
I will advocate and directly work with the Sheriff and the County to have a strong pre-booking diversion program for people with mental illness, including homeless people, minor drug-related offenders, financially related traffic violations such as unpaid tickets. A major focused will be in significantly reducing the school-to-jail pipeline.
3. If elected or re-elected to the city council, will you support a policy to require transparency and democratic accountability before city agencies acquire new surveillance tools?
Calvo:
4. If elected or re-elected to the city council will you work to make stop and arrest data, including race and ethnicity data, available to the public quarterly?
Calvo:
5. If elected or re-elected to the city council what will you do to ensure a timely, transparent and independent investigation whenever an officer uses deadly force?
Calvo:
One lost life is too many. I will work to form a task force that includes members from the following bodies: MPD internal affairs, TBI, the Sheriff's office, CLERB, and a City Council member.
6. Name 3 steps you would take as a council member to make the Community Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) more effective.
Calvo:
1) Review the qualifications and level of commitment from current CLERB members. 2) Empower CLERB with the ability to subpoena 3)Have a member of the City Council to sit on CLERB.
7. Would you support policies, programs or initiatives to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline?
Calvo:
It is imperative to establish an ongoing group of stakeholders who can develop recommendations: Shelby County Schools, parent, and student advocacy groups i.e. Stand for Children and Peace and Justice Center, Juvenile Court, County, and City representatives, MPD and Sheriff. A diverse group will create a constructive debate that can draw strong recommendations. I will be willing to lead or co-lead this effort.
8. What does criminal justice reform mean to you?
Calvo:
The US arrests more people per-capita than any other developed country. The system disproportionally affects people of color and in poverty. Even more alarming is the fact that this approach is not working. In fact, it only makes the problem bigger for those facing the justice system, their families and the community at large. We have to create new ways of dealing with the root cause of the problems and also with alternatives to incarceration.
