Everett City Council Candidate Statement – Cassie Franklin

Editor’s Note: On October 6th MyEverettNews.com sent the following message to all 7 candidates on the general election ballot for Everett City Council. We advised that we would be publishing the response on Saturday October 17th as most voters will be receiving their ballots in the mail this weekend.

Every general election MyEverettNews.com invites candidates for Everett City Council to tell our readers in 400 words or less why they should vote for you. You may have been invited to participate this way in the primary but this is a new election so we are asking for a new submission. In addition to the 400 words we’re asking all candidates to answer the following reader-submitted question…

With the county jail’s new policies restricting taking in those that are currently on drugs, and a surging heroin epidemic that is resulting in increased property crimes…what do we do with the hundreds/thousands of addicts that are avoiding the criminal justice system?

Here is the response received from Cassie Franklin who is running for position 4 against incumbent Ron Gipson. We did not receive a response from Mr. Gipson.

Cassie Franklin – Candidate supplied photo

My husband and I live in the Port Gardner neighborhood together with our daughter who is in first grade at Everett Public Schools. I feel lucky to live in a city surrounded by neighbors who share my love for our community and the desire to make a difference. We are fortunate to have a first class work force, strong neighborhoods, unlimited access to the outdoors, and citizens who genuinely care about each other.

However, in recent years our community has struggled to prevent the ever growing problem of street crime, drug abuse and chronic homelessness. While these issues are complex, there is so much more that our city can do to responsibly address these challenges and to improve public safety.

As the CEO of Cocoon House in Everett, I have the unique experience working on these very issues. We can build strong collaborations and work to leverage regional and national resources on better solutions to address these symptoms of poverty and build a healthier community.

I am an active member in the Community Streets Initiative Task Force and Steering Committee, formed by Mayor Stephanson. We have outlined recommendations for addressing street-level social issues which will need strong leadership to implement.

The next five years in Everett are critical, as we balance our growth while protecting our citizens. We need to invest in economic development, support our small businesses and work within a balanced budget. We must strengthen our transportation network and provide improved services to Central and South Everett, improve public safety resources, and ensure a better quality of life for all our citizens.

We can do this. I am proud of who we are as a community and I am excited for what we can do together. I hope you share my vision for Everett, and I ask for your vote.

I am also proud to be endorsed by: The Everett Herald Editorial Board, Everett Firefighters IAFF Local 46, Police Management Association, Snohomish County-Camano Association of Realtors, Aerospace Machinists Union IAM 751, Affordable Housing Council of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, General Teamsters Union Local 38, Everett Transit Amalgamated Transit Union 883, Business Coalition of Snohomish County, National Women’s Political Caucus, Snohomish County Democrats, and 38th District Democrats

Reader Submitted Question: With the county jail’s new policies restricting taking in those that are currently on drugs, and a surging heroin epidemic that is resulting in increased property crimes…what do we do with the hundreds/thousands of addicts that are avoiding the criminal justice system?

With the county jail’s new policies restricting taking in those that are currently on drugs, and a surging heroin epidemic that is resulting in increased property crimes…what do we do with the hundreds/thousands of addicts that are avoiding the criminal justice system?
We need a cost-effective, jail diversion program to face the challenges with our heroin and methamphetamine epidemic and problems of public intoxication.

A cost-effective solution our community should explore is a “Sobering Center.” Such centers are effective solutions to this problem and models for such centers exist across the country. The program works as follows: 1). an officer or first responder brings an individual to the sobering center, instead of taking them to jail. 2). At the center they receive a basic health screening and are cleared to rest until sober. 3). Before exiting the center they meet with a recovery specialist. Individuals are given referrals to other resources such as in-patient treatment and on-going drug and alcohol counseling.

This type of diversion program is far more cost effective than our traditional criminal justice system. Although individuals are checked in by the police, all services are voluntary. Individuals who are willing to work on their recovery receive support to do so. A solution such as a Sobering Center would give our police a resource to more effectively enforce our laws and keep our citizens safe.