Tell us about your background, experience, and/or training qualifies you to hold this office?
My experience expands to over 27 years as a police officer for the Philadelphia Police Department (‘PPD’). I am the Secretary of The Philadelphia NAACP (2004), and the President of the Guardian Civic League (2007), a civic organization formed to build a bridge between the community and the police. During my tenure at the PPD, I served as an Investigator in the Special Victims Unit known as the ‘sex crimes unit’ which investigated sexual assaults, rape and child abuse. I then transferred to HIDTA (High intense drug and traffic area) unit which was a task force for the FBI, DEA and PPD.
In every position I’ve held, I always made sure I was curating various programming that would better suit the public’s needs. For instance, “Steer Straight” is a program (still in existence) in the police academy which ensures new recruits are being exposed to topics that could be detrimental to their career. In addition to, creating summer programs for the local youth which brings more job opportunities for young adults.
Being that I was born and raised in Philadelphia, I am dedicated to every citizen in Philadelphia and I have shown that throughout my three decades of service. Many have seen me on the frontlines testifying in City council, advocating during rallies and standing up for those most vulnerable. As a first-time candidate, I’m running on my experience, I’m running with my family/friends beside me and I’m running because it’s time for a change to better the City of Philadelphia.
If elected as Sheriff, what are the top three goals you would like to accomplish?
- Keeping families in their homes by lowering the number of homes being put up for sheriff sale.
- Educating the public on how the Sheriff’s office can work for them by creating communication pathways between the Sheriff’s office and the community and becoming an office that works with the community rather than working against the community.
- Policing with Compassion by increasing the trust between the community and law enforcement.
What is your understanding of and position on claims of harassment made against the current holder of this office? What actions, if any, do you think should be taken to address such claims and ensure a safe workplace for all?
As recent news has presented itself to the public, the City has paid out hundreds of thousands of dollars in settlement case(s) to victims of Sheriff Jewell Williams with still some cases pending for public notice. In a Bilal Administration, I would apply a 0 Tolerance policy for sexual harassment of any kind to support the victims of sexual harassment. Then, I would appoint a Human Relations Director to investigate every allegation. If a person is found guilty after the investigation, this information will be made public and inserted into a database for those who committed this heinous action for other law enforcement agencies to be notified. The punishment will be delivered by the Human Relations Director and the Sheriff.
*Every woman and man under our administration will feel safe to report any infraction.
What steps would you take to promote transparency and openness in decision-making by the Sheriff’s Department, especially in the management of foreclosed properties?
In order to promote transparency and openness in the Sheriff’s department, an advisory committee needs to be established. This advisory committee would be responsible to handle communications that would exist between the office and the community. For example, the committee would ensure that all foreclosures and updates within the sheriff’s office is made public and available for every ward and division that exists in Philadelphia.
What role do you believe the Sheriff’s Department should play, if any, in promoting and advancing criminal justice reform in Philadelphia?
Criminal justice reform is a large issue in Philadelphia that certainly needs to be addressed. There are ways the Sheriff’s office can play a role in the safety and transport of every citizen without the cause or effect of an infraction while a sheriff officer is on duty. Our role in a Bilal Administration would be to work with the Philadelphia Police Department, District Attorney’s office and local organizations. We believe real criminal justice reform happens when every city agency is a part of the conversation to honor our oath to protect and serve every citizen.
What steps would you take to build bridges between the Sheriff’s Department and Philadelphia communities? Specifically discuss the ways that you plan to engage local communities if elected.
Building bridges between the Sheriff’s department and the Philadelphia communities are at the forefront of the Bilal Administration. We believe by having roundtable discussions with community organizations and listening to their concerns, this will give us a better understanding into why the current office is in disarray. We would seek to enlarge our communications/outreach staff who would be committed to developing programming and outreach strategies to further promote existing and new relationships and attention to the issues at hand.
Given the prevalence of mental health issues in the criminal justice system, how will you work to address mental health awareness at the Sheriff’s Department, including training for sheriff’s deputies?
In a Bilal Administration, we would seek to have an annual mental health awareness training for every employee at the Sheriff’s office. For any employee that may be suffering from their own ‘mental health issue’ we will ensure that the (EAP) Employee Assistance Program offers help to those in need either for personal, family or job-related purposes.
What protections would you put in place for renters and homeowners whose homes go up for sheriff’s sale, in addition to the federal and state protections already in place? Additionally, what actions would you take to ensure homeowners and renters have sufficient information about the foreclosure/ejectment process?
We would ensure every elected office and community organization has the information necessary and available to support the citizens. Through our outreach and communications department, we would establish a ‘street team’ that would be deployed to specified locations where the need is greatly necessary for attention.
How would you ensure that land sales from foreclosures are done transparently and in a way that promotes equitable development? Relatedly, Philadelphia recently passed a law requiring LLCs to disclose their largest human owner — would you do the same at sheriff’s sales?
We would appoint a director of foreclosure to oversee and investigate all land sales from foreclosures and an annual report will be submitted for the public’s use. Philadelphia’s recent law requires LLC to disclose their largest human owner and at the sheriff’s office we would comply.
Councilman Jones recently introduced a resolution calling for a moratorium on sheriff’s sales because those sales have recently opened the door to investors that are “taking advantage of the poverty within [Philadelphia].” Do you support this moratorium? Why or why not? If not, under what circumstances would you support a sheriff’s sale moratorium?
Councilman Jones’ resolution helps impoverished communities by giving the sheriff’s office time to investigate concerns regarding a given sheriff’s sale. Thus, we support this moratorium.
What actions would you take to minimize fees and costs for low-income Philadelphians going through the foreclosure process? For example, the Sheriff’s Department spends nearly $5 million annually advertising foreclosure sales, the costs of which are transferred to the property owners losing their homes. What would you do to control these and other costs and protect the equity low-income homeowners have built in their properties?
We would cut the advertisement budget by nearly half by utilizing public service announcements, utilize areas and venues to post various information and acquire earned media for related content.