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Maria Cabrera

Candidate for City Council At Large

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. We are the only State who does not share this information. Accountability and Transparency are key to growing positive relationships among all communities with their public safety officials.

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

Need t to spouse or others should not automatically be up for grabs. Need to investigate this further. If the property was received as part of criminal behavior it should definitely be reviewed. Personal property that may belong jointly to spouse or other family members should not automatically be up for grabs.

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. Transparency will foster trust.

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. The job of a police officer is like no other. The stress, and the numerous situations officers face day in and day out for certain create challenges even for the strongest of individuals. Our officers should have access to resources that will help them, as well as prevent them from suffering the consequences of the work they do. They as well as their spouses, family and society can all benefit from mentally healthy officers. 

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

Yes. This will give us a truer sense of accountability from all sides!

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

Yes. Transparency is very important in developing trust, as well as for accuracy and accountability. No one is above the law.

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

Yes. After what we saw transpire in our nation, we have to make changes. 

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

Yes, end the aggressive tactics. No, because  I believe we can have an Operation Safe Streets without the aggressive tactics.

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. Transparency will go a long way to start to heal the wounds surrounding public safety in and beyond the Wilmington Community.

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)?

Yes. Locking people up and filling our jails is not the answer. Substance abuse is an illness. We should try everything before locking someone who is ill.

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 believe the most important steps we must begin to take is to rectify the sins of the past by implementing real change. We have more law abiding officers who protect and serve. There are officers who do not adhere to their oath. They have contributed to the distrust and ongoing frayed relationships among communities of color and beyond. So the time is now to engage in open communication, relationship building, and most importantly accountability.