by EMMA JIMENEZ
Luke Negron is a conservative political activist and Air Force veteran, running for election to the U.S. House to represent Pennsylvania’s 18th Congressional District against incumbent Democrat Michael Doyle. He is on the ballot for the general election on November 3, 2020. Negron identifies himself as a non-politician, one not controlled by special interests and who seeks to restore law and order if elected to congress.
Politifix News interviewed Negron on the latest riots in the wake of the death of George Floyd and how they have caused tensions amongst the black community and law enforcement. Negron expressed that he is sympathetic towards the emotions of the black community in regards to police brutality but he condemns the riots and looting being perpetrated by BLM supporters.
Negron stated the following with Politifix News:
“It is important to distinguish against the idea of “black lives matter,” and the black lives matter organization. The organization itself is a Marxist organization, who manipulate the emotions of minorities to advance their own politically motivated agenda. Of course black lives matter, no one is saying that they don’t.”
Negron argued how defunding law enforcement will only embolden criminals to target the most vulnerable. He mentioned how the most recent Gallup poll concluded that 81% of Black Americans & 83% of Hispanic Americans don’t want less police presence despite protesters, but instead want more police.
Negron expressed with Politifix News how police brutality is abhorrent and those that dishonor their oath to protect and serve should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. However, defunding police departments in cities with the highest crime rates will only hurt black and brown lives – not improve them. He proposes innovative police training which entails three policy ideas:
1) Universal body cams: The public is protected against abuses of power and the police are protected against false claims that could hurt their career. Negron wants universal body cams in every department.
2) Police chiefs should be elected not appointed: Negron claims that unlike a sheriff, a chief is appointed by a mayor and thus when their officers do wrong, the chief doesn’t suffer an immediate consequence from the public. If elected, the chief would have to answer to the public and if they aren’t doing a good job serving the public, they stand to lose their job.
Negron further added that many of the chiefs in cities with the highest crime rates are appointed by democrat mayors and tend to run the department with the mayor’s agenda. An elected chief would have to answer directly to the voting public instead of just the mayor that hired them.
3) Nationwide registry of police disciplinary records: Negron stated a data base should be established so that a law enforcement officer fired or forced to leave one city can’t simply move to another city and be back on the streets. Citizens and police departments would be made aware of a police officer’s disciplinary record regardless of new location.
Negron expressed how school choice can reduce the criminality issue that currently exists within most inner cities where minorities tend to reside the most.
“Parents should have the option of what school they wish their children to attend,” argued Negron. According to Negron school choice will not only increase parental satisfaction but it will ultimately benefit the child. Research has shown that school choice has been proven to lead to higher graduation rates which in return helps a child advance in life.
Politifix News questioned Negron on how politicians can strengthen the relationship with law enforcement and minority communities.
“Having police officers chosen who are specifically equipped to work with communities they are familiar with can help with building and strengthening relationships. Having police officers that are familiar with the community and having that same community familiar with the police officers patrolling their area is key. A police officer no longer becomes just a man or woman in a blue uniform but rather a trusted and known individual within the community,” expressed Negron.
Negron agrees with the sentiment that black lives matter, those lives including unborn black children, black lives taken by other black lives, and black lives in blue uniforms. However, a movement that is selective on which black lives they choose to be outraged over is a movement he can’t and won’t support.
For more information on Luke Negron visit his webpage:
www.negron2020.com
//pf