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Karen Flowers

Candidate for District 1

Responses to Wilmington Police Reform Survey

Will you vote to make all police disciplinary records public, and push for changes in state law necessary to make that possible?

Yes, I will ALWAYS support for changes in the law & its a must that police release the records because “we”, the people need to know who we have behind that uniform, (i.e. their behaviors, mental state, write-ups, etc.)

Will you vote for an ordinance prohibiting Wilmington police from engaging in civil asset forfeiture?

Yes, I wouldn’t just vote for an ordinance, there needs to be legislation passed to eliminate this practice all together.  They should not have the “power” to seize anyone’s property “suspected” of illegal activity, innocent until “proven” guilty; furthermore it allows law enforcement to abuse the power they already feel as though they have, not to mention its unconstitutional and a violation of the 5th Amendment.

Will you vote for Wilmington police to collect and publish data, including by race, on all pedestrian and traffic stops they conduct, including the reason for the stop?

Yes, this is extremely important because the police make illegal stops everyday, all day, but we as constituents need to get educated on our rights because I truly believe that once we arm & educate ourselves with the law, its strips the police of their imaginary power.

Will you vote in favor of periodic psychological evaluations of Wilmington police officers? Will you vote for funds to mental health support for officers?

YES, but I do not agree with it being “periodic”, mental health evaluations should be done before they are hired, they should be conducted immediately after an officer has discharged their weapon and it should be done immediately after any confrontations that result in bodily harm.

Will you vote for issuing all Wilmington Police officers body cameras?

Yes, absolutely, this is something that is not up for debate, body cameras protect not just “US”, but it protects the police.  What is troubling is, those that are against the body cameras do not want the negative actions/behaviors of the police to be documented on record.  Their resistence confirms they have something to hide.

Since police officers are public servants, do you believe footage from arrest and police misconduct should be made public record?

Yes, It should be made public, the police department should be transparent, period point blank.

If elected would you create and/or vote yes on an ordinance to end “no knock warrants”?

Yes, I will sponsor this legislation without hesitation.

Will you vote in favor of ending Operation Safe Streets, which utilizes aggressive policing tactics to harass Wilmington families and community members?

Yes, Operation Safe Street should have never been established, it’s just another way for the justice system to intimidate, harass and discriminate.

Will you vote in favor of a community review board that has the power to investigate incidents and complaints, audit policy compliance, has hiring and firing authority, and make records and hearings public to the greatest extent possible?

Yes,  As a matter of fact I am in the process of putting together something similar; but it will not be a board; nonetheless, this is definitely a great idea.

Will you require and fund Wilmington Police to operate a pre-arrest diversion program for people with substance abuse issues (a model similar to New Castle County’s Hero Help)?

Absolutely not, I will not support any programs coming from the police department, Programs of this type should be created, implemented by the people, for the people.

Communities of color in Wilmington have borne the brunt of aggressive policing and war on crime policies for decades. Those communities also bear the scars of decades of discrimination in housing, education, and access to economic opportunity. What will you do as a Council member, Mayor, or treasurer to repair that harm?

I will continue to do what I do and that is advocate for fair, decent affordable housing, stronger education curriculum and continuing to build economic and generational wealth and opportunities for minorities/women, the disabled and veterans.  There are hidden obstacles put in place to hinder us from accomplishing the two things “we” need to advance as a people.