We must ensure that our police department has the tools and staffing it needs to effectively prevent and solve crime, and we must continue our strong accountability mechanisms to ensure fairness for people of color. Because of my advocacy and partnership with Councilmember Terry Taplin, the Council has funded security cameras at key intersections (with data safeguards) to help bring accountability for shootings, which disproportionately harm West Berkeley. Working with other Councilmembers, I have successfully advocated for augmenting our historically low police staffing level. Adequate police staffing is needed to do bike patrols, investigate catalytic converter thefts and other property crimes, and conduct traffic enforcement. At the same time, I support proven alternative responses for certain non-violent calls for service, such as mental health crisis situations. During our Council deliberations on reimagining public safety, I have also cautioned against piloting too many alternative approaches at once; all new programs should be fiscally sustainable with performance metrics.