2014 NJ Senate debate: on Crime

Cory Booker: Real solution to crime is addressing poverty and education

"Nobody would argue with the need for a holistic approach over the long term, but our citizens need help right now," said one mayoral candidate. "I requested federal emergency funding to flood high crime areas with more police." Booker would not comment on whether those dollars would be available but said he has been talking with U.S. Attorneys about immediate strategies.

He also said the violence was not confined to Newark. The Star-Ledger reported today that New Jersey has seen a seven-year high in homicides statewide. "Looking at the whole state, we have serious, serious violence issues," Booker said.

Cory Booker: Incarceration isn't working; focus on preventing recidivism

• We launched ex-offender reentry programs that drove down recidivism rates;
• We created a youth court, community court, and veterans court -- the community court and veterans court are the first of their kind in the state, designed to connect low level offenders with specialized resources to reduce recidivism and better protect our neighborhoods.
• We expanded mentoring programs, youth programing, recreation spaces, and youth employment opportunities to engage our kids in constructive activities that lead to productive pathways, not prison.

Cory Booker: Increase the number of police in all neighborhoods

Cory Booker's work as councilman from Newark's Central Ward has earned him praise from Newark residents.
• Local Nuisance Codes: Organized pro-bono attorneys to fight against drug dealing in local communities through the enforcement of codes.
• Hunger Strike: Organized a 10-day Camp Out where the Councilman slept out and went on a hunger strike against drugs and crime in Garden Spires
• Police Presence: (1/19/00) Fought on the City Council to increase the number of police in all neighborhoods.
• Additional Security: Pushed legislation mandating that private buildings provide more security for local residents.

Cory Booker: Cut first responders due to economic downturn

Cory Booker: Bipartisan solution to reduce recidivism

We as a people can never allow our inability to do everything, [such as] solving poverty, to undermine our determinations to do something. And so I'm a child of a generation that said, "I'm going to do something to make this world a better place."

[For example], the Manhattan Institute is a right-leaning think tank. I have lots of disagreements with their leadership, but we said that one of the biggest problems in America is mass incarceration. It's one of the most expensive governments that's gone out of control and it fails. They release those people and the majority of them come back. And we found ways to get together and do reentry programs of dramatically-reduced recidivism.

We have a politics in this country that's failing its people.