James Solomon

Criminal Justice / Public Safety Build the best-in-the-country mental health crisis response system by fully connecting it to 911, sending only clinicians for non-violent cases, and pairing them with police when safety is a concern. Immigration Strengthen our sanctuary city law by requiring, as a condition of any license or permit, that every business denies federal immigration authorities voluntary access to their workplaces. Immigration Increase the city’s investment in immigration services, including legal services. Housing Stop double-digit rent hikes in all residential buildings by deeming such increases to be unconscionable, with limited exceptions for substantial improvements and new construction. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Support non-violence organizations with office space, non-profit technical assistance, City support for community events, and access to crime data. Immigration Defend our sanctuary city law and use every tool to protect it. Immigration Educate all Jersey City residents, students, and businesses about their rights and the limits of federal immigration authority. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Increase the police force by 100 officers, and streamline the command structure and specialized units to get more officers back into the community. Housing Create a public database of rent-controlled buildings, aggressively enforce our rent control laws, and charge landlords maximum penalties for breaking it. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Launch a city-wide Neighborhood Watch program to train residents in crime prevention and strengthen communications channels between residents and the JCPD. Housing Ban junk fees including broker fees, application fees, amenity fees, move-in fees and others. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Increase funding for evidence-based violence prevention programs in Jersey City. Legislation Require all significant developments city-wide to include at least 20% affordable units, including in all existing redevelopment plan areas, leveraging all available city financing tools to build thousands of new units. Taxes / Budget End the current pay-to-play system for tax breaks for developers—and conduct forensic audits of all tax abatements every year. Housing Impose triple penalties on landlords who refuse to address serious living conditions issues—like no heat or hot water—and use the money for the City to make the needed repairs itself. Housing Ban landlords from using software algorithms to conspire with each other to jack up rents. Immigration Train city employees and contractors on our sanctuary city law, including non-cooperation with federal immigration officials.