–photo courtesy of Ly Xinzhen Brown for Delegate Facebook page-
Ly Xinzhen Brown’s, a Democratic candidate for the House of Delegates in District 7A, is receiving criticism from both sides of the aisle after the Glen Arm resident made controversial comments about police.
Fox 45 reported a few of Brown’s comments from a video he posted online.
“I come from a perspective in that police and prisons do not make us safe and should not exist,” Brown said in the first video.
“I believe that the only solution to police violence, whether that is very subtle violence or that is overt violence, is abolition.” Brown said in another video, according to Fox 45.
State Senator Carl Jackson, a Democrat in District 8, immediately responded to Brown’s comments and released the following statement:
“As a Democrat, I believe we can work toward a fairer criminal justice system while also standing firmly behind the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our communities.
“Public safety is non-negotiable. I do not support abolishing our police departments or eliminating our prisons. Our communities deserve to feel safe in their homes, on their streets, and in their neighborhoods. Victims of crime deserve justice, and law enforcement officers deserve the resources, training, and support necessary to do their jobs effectively.
“We can invest in schools, mental health services, and programs that address the root causes of crime without weakening our ability to respond when crime occurs. We can demand accountability when officers engage in misconduct while respecting and supporting the dedicated officers who serve honorably every day.
“These principles are not contradictory. Accountability and public safety must go hand in hand.
“Being a Democrat does not mean abandoning public safety. It means working toward a justice system that protects everyone’s rights, treats people fairly, holds offenders accountable, and keeps our communities safe.
“Our responsibility as elected officials is to pursue practical solutions that work for the people we serve. Our residents should never have to choose between fairness and safety. They deserve both.
“I strongly disagree with the position outlined in the article below and firmly oppose any effort to abolish our police departments or eliminate our prisons.”
A few days later, Brown released a statement clarifying his comments.
“The safest places in the world do not spend what Maryland spends on policing and prisons: they prioritize spending their money on schools, housing, healthcare, and social work, all of which are proven to lower crime and reduce recidivism,” Brown said.
‘One thing we can all agree on is that every Baltimore County and Maryland resident deserves safety. Community safety is at the center of my platform, and a critical issue to people across our district. That’s why we need deep investments in crime prevention — from teen job programs to housing and social work— along with deep investments in support for victims and survivors of crime.”
Brown’s Republican opponents and District 7A Delegates Ryan Nawrocki and Kathy Szeliga responded to Brown’s comments to abolish police.
“Brown’s Republican opponents and District 7A Delegate Ryan Nawrocki and Kathy Szeliga responded to Brown’s comments by holding a press conference with County Councilman Nino Mangione and Baltimore County FOP Lodge #4 President Doug Jess.
“Baltimore County families deserve to know that when they call 911, help is coming,” said Szeliga.
“Abolishing police and prisons would put our communities at risk. We should give officers the training, resources, and support they need to protect our neighborhoods and increase funding for the Baltimore County police.”
Nawrocki is concerned about Brown’ advocating for defunding the Baltimore County Police in the next budget.
“Brown’s position includes a current call to defund the Baltimore County Police alongside a longer-term goal of abolition,” said Nawrocki.
“Residents deserve specific answers: Which police services would Brown defund? Who would investigate violent crimes and respond when families are in danger? Public safety is a fundamental responsibility of the government, and we cannot gamble with it.”
Baltimore County FOP Lodge #4 President Doug Jess warned against the consequences of eliminating police and prisons.
“Police officers are essential to safe communities, and prisons serve a critical purpose by keeping dangerous offenders from harming more people,” said Jess.
“We stand firmly for law and order, for protecting victims, and for giving our officers the resources they need to do their jobs. Baltimore County deserves leaders who will support law enforcement and hold criminals accountable. Abolishing police and prisons would abandon those responsibilities.”
Szeliga and Nawrocki also pointed out that Governor Wes Moore appointed Ly Xinzhen Brown to a seat on the Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs within the Governor’s administration.
The governor’s website lists Brown as a current commissioner, and Maryland State Archives records list Brown’s term as ending in 2028.
Szeliga and Nawrocki are calling the governor to state publicly whether he supports or rejects Brown’s calls to abolish police and prisons and reduce funding for Baltimore County Police.
“Brown serves on a commission within Governor Moore’s administration, and Marylanders deserve to know where he stands on these public safety proposals,” the delegates said.
“Governor Moore should clearly state whether he supports or rejects Brown’s positions. Our officers and the families they protect deserve a direct answer.”