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Candidate Profile: Susan Jensen

Belleville News-Democrat - 3/5/2020

Mar. 5--Name: Susan Jensen

Hometown: I have resided in the Glen Carbon/Edwardsville area for over 40 years, but I am originally from Port Arthur, Texas

Occupation: Attorney

Position seeking: Madison County State's Attorney

Party: Democrat

Incumbent: No

Website or social media page: Susan Jensen for State's Attorney, Facebook

Why are you running and why should people vote for you? I have almost 40 years of experience as a prosecutor and have practiced in every area from juvenile to homicides. I was First Assistant under Bill Haine for ten years and have experience in supervising and developing policy and protocols. I am also currently a Trustee for the Village of Glen Carbon and have experience in governing and developing budgets.

What would your goals be, if elected? Prosecuting serious violent crimes to the fullest extent of the law for all victims, no matter their status in life when the only solution is to get a dangerous person off the street and into prisons. There needs to be the developing of programs that provide alternatives to prison for drug abusers and non-violent offenders which would allow them to receive proper treatment and training to become assets to the community. Prisons do not always provide these programs and should not be mechanisms for warehousing people without giving them opportunities to leave with skills to assist in becoming useful members of society when released. With the State's Attorney providing the impetus and leadership, outreach programs must be developed that would create links between the State's Attorney's Office, the police departments and the communities to work on issues together and seek solutions to help stem crime and establish working relationships based on trust and respect for each other.

What issues are most pressing for your constituency? During the past few months of meeting with leaders of the communities and individual citizens, many of whom have lost faith in the system, I have found that most feel that our opioid and methamphetamine epidemic is a major problem. All classes of society have been affected by this crisis. Present solutions have not worked and we must seek new ones. Another major issue is the loss of respect and hope in our youth communities. The police and churches and mentors must reach out to our children and give them hope for change and that they can succeed and find pride in themselves that is not attached to gang membership. Saving our youth will save all of our communities.

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