Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Edwin Raymond for City Council District 40
Candidate Name: Edwin Raymond
Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 40
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
I am a first-generation Haitian-American who was born, raised and still resides in East Flatbush. Coming from a community so densely populated with immigrants, I understand firsthand what their concerns and needs are. I struggled to beat poverty while surrounded by influences that caused a great deal of peers to turn to violence and crime. I’ve been a public servant for over twelve years who refused to engage in the corruption and Gestapo ways of operating within the NYPD. I’m a whistleblower who’s helped to mitigate some of the unlawful actions of the police department and was the lead plaintiff of a federal lawsuit in the Southern District aimed at being the final nail in the coffin of unlawful quotas and other discriminatory practices. In addition to being a dissenting voice from within law enforcement, a topic that literally galvanized the world this past year, I have demonstrated that I will stand firm on morality for the collective, no matter the risk to me. Witnessing gentrification that disproportionately displaces Black, Latino, and Asian residents is what prevents the growth of a rich economy of various local businesses. With the years that I resided in Brooklyn, I understand the multitude of issues that come from the lack of resources within the district. COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the communities in the worst ways and exacerbated the current crises that the Brooklyn community is facing. My intentions are to not only mitigate the crises that have significantly become worse, but to rebuild the communities through community collaboration and equitable, inclusive legislation. I understand the wealth and power that the NYPD holds and how that harms the community. I am fighting for better education, protecting the youth of New York City, transforming the socioeconomic systems that harm the most vulnerable, creating space for coalition work and community-organizing, and building a space for undocumented folks to feel safe and liberated.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
I have and continue to support our newly elected Congressman Ritchie Torres who’s demonstrated great courage in his position as Council Member and I’m sure will do as a Congressmember.
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
I have not been an elected official. I intend to work with LGBTQ+ organizations and introduce legislation to protect LGBTQ+ communities. I hope to work alongside the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club to ensure legislation is positively affecting the LGBTQ+ community and those alike.
What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
I have supported GOAL NY, a fraternity of LGBTQ law enforcement members.
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
I am a straight, cis-gendered man who uses “he/him” pronouns and stand as an ally and accomplice to the LGBTQIA+ community.
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
Since 2009, I have attended as an officer on duty, but I have not marched in Pride as an individual and hope to attend in the future, whether virtual or in-person.
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
Yes, but I do not explicitly inquire.
What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBT issues, pro-choice legislation, criminal justice issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended?
While I am not currently an elected official, I have spoken out as a whistleblower to expose the quota system that the NYPD unlawfully implements which targets sex workers who are disproportionately of the LGBTQ community.
Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
I have never been arrested.
Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails?
I commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated to get a better understanding of the challenges they face in state prisons and city jails. I commit to visiting and having in-depth conversations on what mandatory minimum-sentences may have, their experiences growing up in heavily policed cities, and the difficulties of post-incarceration. I would like to commit to visiting constituents to understand what resources are available for addiction recovery in inmate populations. This is the first step to my larger commitment to create foundational changes to the prison system.
Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
I will affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals by collaborating with prison reform organizations in New York City, such as, the Last Prisoner Project. This organization’s mission is to free every prisoner of the war on drugs, and they are starting with the 40,000 individuals in prison for cannabis offenses. I will devote my time to actively search for formerly incarcerated individuals and remind them that a minor drug offense should not deter them from applying to an array of occupations.
Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism
My legislative vision for combating systemic racism is multidisciplinary, as systemic racism and oppression intersects with other policy fields. One of my visions is to focus on the prison system and take after the First Step Act, but through a local lens. This criminal justice reform legislation will assist formerly-incarcerated individuals towards the tools of success including the efforts of the state colleagues. My legislative vision encompasses different programs, such as education, vocational training, mental health care, and affordable housing. My policy vision includes in-depth discussions with the communities within District 40 when it comes to policies regarding the revitalization of communities without large-scale displacement and destabilization. My legislative and policy vision will be cost-effective, but mindful and active in my path to reprioritizing which departments need funding and which do not. Although this vision will be methodical and well-researched, there needs to be urgency in the systematic racism that brings irrevocable harm to marginalized communities. This means the policies enacted on police departments will have to be enforced with haste in order to protect individuals from racial bias and “broken windows policing.”
Will you not seek, and refuse, the endorsement of Bill de Blasio?
I will not seek the endorsement of Bill de Blasio. Through his handling of police brutality, the inequalities in the education system, and overall lack of action in public housing issues and homelessness, I am not seeking the endorsement of Bill de Blasio.
In view of the fact that Ed Koch has been documented to have caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people with AIDS, and was blatantly racist, would you support and sponsor a bill to rename the former Queensboro Bridge?
Yes, I will. Ed Koch harmed many individuals through his dismissal of the AIDS epidemic and racist ideology.
What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?
I agree it should be removed and what the Indigenous tribes have agreed upon to replace it should take its place. Another option of what can replace the Christopher Columbus statue is a statue representing the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women Movement.
Will you refuse contributions from real estate developers and all law enforcement unions or associations?
Yes, I will refuse contributions from bad actors in real estate development and all law enforcement unions and/or associations.
Do you support reducing the budget of the NYPD and if so, by how much?
Yes, the NYPD budget ranks in the top 40 in the world in terms of defense spending. Safety and stability is provided by reducing the NYPD budget to provide services for community programs and stable housing. There should be a bigger divestment and reallocation compared to the 2021 budget at the least. The changes in the NYPD budget should be implemented in the June 2022 Budget, emphasizing on the removal of law enforcement from schools, social services, and mental health response calls.
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
I would have voted no. The City Budget fell short of what New Yorkers needed and that includes, but is not limited to larger head-count reductions and a full hiring freeze in the NYPD Budget.
Are you in favor of removing police from any of the following? a) Schools; b) Mental health response calls; c) Homeless outreach and social services; or d) Traffic enforcement.
Yes, I am in favor.
Should the NYPD Vice Squad be eliminated?
Absolutely. Outside of investigating sex trafficking, they bring no value. Sex/human trafficking can instead be investigated by the Special Victims Unit.
Should Dermot Shea be fired immediately?
Yes, his mishandling of the pandemic and the NYPD exemplifies that Shea’s stay as NYPD Commissioner would be reckless.
Should the NYPD Commissioner require confirmation by the City Council?
The NYPD Commissioner should require confirmation by the City Council because it will best serve the community. The NYPD Commissioner must answer not only to the mayor, but to New Yorkers as a whole. How would you recommend police officers be penalized for refusing to wear masks in public while on duty, in defiance of city and state rules? Fined and placed on probation for being non-compliant with public health safety rules.
How would you recommend police officers be penalized for refusing to wear masks in public while on duty, in defiance of city and state rules?
Fined and placed on probation for being non-compliant with public health safety rules that we are also asking civilians to comply with. Civil servants must lead by example.
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
I would ensure there is adequate funding for the Civilian Complaint Review Board in order to perform a full range oversight. I will support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding to prevent any unfair dismissals of civilians’ complaints regarding police misconduct and brutality. I also believe though the Charter revisions aided these efforts to gather information with ease from the NYPD, we need enforcement to ensure it happens.
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
I supported the plan to close Rikers with a better investment in facilities for various social services and restorative justice.
Will you advocate for the Governor to review sentences of incarcerated individuals over the age 55 who have served in excess of 15 years to determine if they warrant release?
Yes, I will advocate for Gov. Cuomo to review the sentences of incarcerated individuals and determine if they warrant release because relatively longer sentences do not lead to a path of transformative justice in the criminal justice system. I also will push for COVID-19 relate clemency which is highly important during this time.
It’s common knowledge that New York City’s 311 system is not adequately responsive to the public’s concerns. How would you alter the 311 system to combat these problems?
I would change the computerized systems and put in place a clearer update of the progress of complaints reported. There needs to be an adequate system to clear up the backlog of reports in the 311 system that currently exists. There should be local resources and hotline numbers to assist individuals in non-emergency circumstances.
Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?
I support decriminalizing sex work as it is one of the ways to advocate for rights-based health and social services, freedom from abuse and discrimination and self-determination for sex workers. I will pledge to oppose the Nordic model because of its harmful effects to sex workers, some that include the increased policing of sex workers, disregard for their safety, and harmful attitudes that arise from health providers and law enforcement.
Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your school district(s) will you advocate to abolish?
Yes, the inherent nature of standardized testing lead to a heavier emphasis on test scores, which are highly correlated with race and class. I will advocate to abolish the screenings that enable the segregation of not only high schools, but middle schools. Screenings perpetuate the school to prison pipeline, which ultimately affects black and brown children.
Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.
I would prioritize funding not only for the resources of underfunded schools in NYC but ensure that educators are being paid a fair wage. I would implement policies to eliminate admission testing for public schools to prevent further segregation between schools and overall school districts. I would provide more autonomy for educators to have a voice in the policy-making process as well.
Do you support public funding of abortion?
Yes, I do. Public funding ensures that any individual that need access to abortions will have safe procedures.
Do you support the creation of safe consumption sites? Would you support the use of NYC DOHMH authority to establish SCSs without NYSDOH authorization?
Yes. I would support the use of NYC DOHMH authority to establish SCSs in order to provide safe facilities with the support of trained staff to help individuals make drug use safer and provide services such as health care, counseling and drug treatment.
Do you smoke or otherwise consume weed?
I do not smoke or consume weed but I am in support of legalizing marijuana after so many years of watching it be used as the “low-hanging fruit” to cage and summon people.
Have you ever supported any of the members of the IDC? If so, who? What did you do to help defeat the IDC in 2018?
Never. I voted for Senator Myrie.
What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?
I will support nightlife in NYC by hosting Townhalls specifically for restaurants and nightlife businesses to hear the concerns and specific challenges that NYC Nightlife businesses face. I have seen that the current Nightlife office is attempting to increase its visibility and efforts, which I commend (townhalls, increased digital presence). I will propose the repeal of the Commercial Rent Tax and a reduction in fines and fees for small, local businesses and decrease fines for awning issues.
Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?
Yes, I commit to speaking with representatives from the restaurant and nightlife industry in order to get a full understanding of any current or future policies that may affect their businesses.
Will you work to place restaurant, bar and club owners on community boards? Will you commit to not appointing or reappointing community board members who are hostile to food and beverage estalishments?
I will work to place restaurant, bar and club owners on community boards because they observe and manage the day to day, they should have a voice in the policy decisions within their occupation. I will push to not appoint any community board members who are hostile to food and beverage establishments as these establishments are a crucial part of NYC’s diverse economy.
Now that the cabaret law was repealed do you support amending the zoning resolution to allow patrons to dance at more venues and eliminate the restrictions against dancing?
Yes, I believe the city of New York needs to make progressive changes to the zoning resolution to allow patrons to dance at more venues and overall make licensing processes easier.
Did you oppose the de Blasio/Cuomo proposal (and giveaways) for bringing Amazon’s HQ2 to Long Island City?
I did oppose it and this proposal was incredibly mismanaged and did not provide any assistance to the economy or to the well-being of New Yorkers.
What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals before the Council?
As a Council Member, both my own and local members’ input and what is ultimately best for my district is what I will use for my approval of development proposals before the Council. There needs to be a conversation between the Council and unions, advocacy groups, and community organizations. Community development encompasses all parts of New York City and proactive community building has to be the top priority.
Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing?
Yes, it is imperative that discriminatory practices in housing are completely eradicated towards any formerly incarcerated individuals as this factor ties in with race and gender.
Do you oppose the removal of the nearly 300 homeless individuals from the Lucerne hotel due to pressure from some local residents?
Yes, displacing 300 homeless individuals is inhumane and creates even more risk during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?
I will propose that the NYPD stop arrests for minor crimes, such as drug offenses, traffic violations, petty larceny, disorderly conduct, and trespassing. Other proposals I would advocate for is limiting law enforcement intelligence collection and sharing as this keeps federal immigration authorities from local law enforcement. More access to immigration attorneys will have a huge part in protecting immigrants as well. Cash assistance, especially during the pandemic, is crucial to protecting immigrants and proposing to use a city-funded emergency cash assistance program will positively impact New York City’s immigrant and refugee communities.
Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate on what policy and legislative steps the City can take to expand access and affordability.
Yes, I do. Expanding access to health care can be solved even through simply ensuring there is a low maximum number of forms to be filled to be given health care, that is provided in a number of languages, and it is not provided in financial jargon. An emphasis of policies on community-specific programs is one of the steps to expand access and affordability to the various communities in New York City as well as better funding for public health hospitals.
Who did you support for office in the following primaries or special elections: A) Mayor in 2013 B) Public Advocate in 2013 and 2019, C) President in 2016 and 2020 C) Governor and Attorney General in 2018?
A. 2013: Bill DeBlasio B. 2013: Letitia James 2019: Jumaane Williams C. 2016 Hilary Clinton 2020: Joe Biden D. 2018: Cynthia Nixon and Letitia James
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
Police accountability and transparency, fair housing, and health care accessibility in the midst of COVID-19.
Mayor de Blasio has indicated his intent to call a third Charter Revision Commission, what additional reforms would you support to 1) the budget process, 2) the land use process, and 3) the powers and duties of municipal offices?
The overall budget process should have more public involvement as well as a complete restructuring of the NYPD budget. The land use process is broken and is in need of community involvement from the beginning of the ULURP process to the City Councils vote. The powers of municipal offices (including the community board recommendation), should hold more power in terms of taking that power from the Mayoral Office and be given to City Council, Comptroller, Borough presidents and the public advocate. This difference in power is what makes the NYC Budget fall short of meeting the communities’ needs.
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?
My vision for the present powers of the office is to have more collaboration with the community, and more input from youth and coalitions. Implementing protective policies for marginalized communities such as trans women of color and undocumented individuals is just the first step. Policies that ensure clean homes and clean air is one of my top priorities and City Council can make this possible through transformative policies that not only protect, but provide opportunity. I will exercise my power to implement foundational changes to overfunded departments through demanding higher budget cuts.
Do you commit to working with Jim Owles during your campaign and while in office? What role can the club and the progressive LGBT community play in holding you accountable?
Yes, I do. The club and the progressive LGBTQ community can hold me accountable in using inclusive and equitable approaches to creating bills and proposals with inclusive and equitable outcomes for marginalized communities.
If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?
Yes, I do.
What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsement decisions?
I am emboldened by the amazing work of Jim Owles has committed to ensure reform of the criminal justice system and overall well-being of the LGBTQ+ community. I am interested to have a better understanding of Jim Owles vision for impact throughout the district but also borough with regarding to community decision making.