Jedidiah Brown, Candidate for 5th Ward Alderman

Jedidiah Brown

Candidate Full Name: Jedidiah Brown

Office: 5th Ward Alderman

Email Address: aboutchange@hotmail.com

Web Site: www.brownfor5thward.com

Campaign Office Mailing Address: 1745 E. 71st

Phone: 312-478-1591

Survey Questions (Character limit of 2,000 per response)

1. What is the most important issue that you will address in your ward?

There's a clear lack of direction in the 5th ward as it relates to addressing the important issue of public safety. From Hyde Park, to South Shore, people question how safe they are walking in their own neighborhood. As a result, many of my neighbors have decided to move out of the area.

We have to implement common sense solutions to reduce crimes of survival and mental illness. As Alderman, I will establish the 5th Wards first office of neighborhood stabilization. The crime prevention model has been very successful in reducing crime Richmond, California. Using data, the office will identify the individuals who are most likely to commit a crime, and aggressively connecting those residents with resources to stabilize their lives. I'm also going to work with the other Alderman to expand mental healthcare treatment centers in the City of Chicago.

With safer communities, we can develop blighted parts of the ward, increase confidence in neighborhood schools, and assign more police officers to walk the neighborhood. As a Chicago anti-violence activist and organizer, I'm uniquely qualified to address the issue of public safety in relation to the other Aldermanic candidates. I've recently been award by the Chicago Police Department 3rd District Caps program for my work with the Chicago Police Department detaining violent offenders, as well as my restorative justice work I do in collaboration with Cook County Jail.

2. What are your plans for helping fight crime in your ward?

See Question #1

3. What, if any, city assets would you consider privatizing to raise money?

I would not vote to privatize any city assets.

4. Do you support or oppose the vote to increase the minimum wage in several steps to $13 an hour by 2019?

I believe every mother, father, or grandparent who works full time should be afforded a living wage. In passing a $13 an hour minimum wage, the current administration has made a monumental first step in addressing the needs of Chicago's hard working families. I support a $15 minimum wage for employees of large corporations following the Seattle model.

5. Are you in favor of Chicago's Red Light Camera program?

I support responsible measures to protect pedestrians, especially our children, from drivers who recklessly disobey our speed laws. With that, it is apparent that the red light and speed camera programs are used to squeeze Chicago taxpayers for additional revenue. I believe the City of Chicago can find a middle ground where we hold reckless drivers accountable thereby protecting our residents without nickel and dimming thousands of other drivers.