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?
Hamilton:
Yes, I will propose expanding programs and/or initiatives to limit minor offenses in the city. I would achieve this goal by leveraging relationships with key stakeholders and outside funding.
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?
Hamilton:
Yes, I will propose or support a pre-booking diversion program. During my time in workforce development, I've implemented multiple diversion programs for drug-related offenses and for those suffering from mental health issues.
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?
Hamilton:
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?
Hamilton:
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?
Hamilton:
Include money in the budget to fund the Civilian law enforcement review board so that there is both a civilian lead investigation that happens concurrently to the Tennessee bureau of investigation. I would also work with the mayor to ensure that accountability is a integral part of the Memphis police department policies. This includes an MOU that mandates the police force share necessary information with CLERB to assist with police investigations.
6. Name 3 steps you would take as a council member to make the Community Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) more effective.
Hamilton:
Our focus will be on providing opportunities for ACE training, wrap-around services, and workforce development training and placement access. Also, we will be more intentional in leveraging relationships with key community stakeholders through collective impact and outside funding.
7. Would you support policies, programs or initiatives to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline?
Hamilton:
We must divest from police and jails/prisons. At this time, we must invest in infrastructure and services that support, strengthen and keeping our youth safe while giving them access to post-secondary opportunities. Study after study shows that a living wage, access to health services and treatment, educational opportunity and stable housing are more effective than police or jails.
8. What does criminal justice reform mean to you?
Hamilton:
The time is now to address the underlying issues of crime and incarceration. Through leadership development, youth intervention, criminal justice reform, and job creation we’ll eliminate mass incarceration.
