We must continue our efforts to address violence in our communities.  Decades of experience shows us that this is not a problem that can be solved by police officers and prosecutors working alone, using incarceration as our only tool. Unfortunately, only a small proportion of violent crimes reported are ever solved, so, for the most part, the criminal justice system does not touch the parties involved in or affected by these offenses.  In addition, decades of intolerably high levels of violent crime have shown us, while incarcerating the convicted is often necessary and appropriate, it alone cannot successfully address the stubborn problem of violent crime in our city.

Kim’s Circuit Attorney Office takes a broader approach that helps victims of violence heal, ensures the operation of the system does not cause members of the public undue harm, and focuses on preventing violence from reoccurring in the future.

Our city’s Board of Aldermen recently funded CureViolence, a community violence interruption program, and the program will begin operation soon.  CureViolence has had substantial success reducing violent crime, especially shootings and murders, in the cities where it operates.  Kim supports this initiative and has a member of her office on the steering committee for its implementation.

Restorative justice programs emphasize repairing the harm that results from violence and providing a nonviolent method of resolving conflict.  Research shows that these programs support victims, promote healing, and reduce violent reoffending among individuals who participate in them.  Kim will work to incorporate elements of restorative justice into her diversion programs and plea offers on more serious cases, to increase accountability, help victims heal, and prevent acts of violence in the future.

Of course, public safety sometimes requires the incarceration of individuals who commit violent crimes.  This incarceration doesn’t happen in a vacuum, however, and it causes pain and hardship to family members who are left behind.  The children of incarcerated parents are more likely to suffer from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.  Their families are plagued by economic instability.  A breakdown in the parent-child relationship that can occur during incarceration contributes to a variety of negative outcomes, including increased criminal behavior in our next generation.

Kim wants to continue to expand victims’ services to offer assistance to people who are victims of the criminal justice system.  She wants to offer families of the incarcerated:

We can reduce violence by helping to strengthen the relationship between the community and law enforcement and increase confidence in the justice system.  When members of our community trust that the police and Circuit Attorneys treat everyone fairly and genuinely want to help keep them safe, they are more likely to seek help when they need it, report crimes, and participate in investigations.

We will continue to enhance community trust in the Circuit Attorney Office by engaging in practices that are fair, just, and non-discriminatory:

Kim also supports a strong, trusting relationship between the community and the police.  Through her policies, she ensures that police officers do not have any incentive to engage in misconduct.