Prior to becoming chief of staff at the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections, Beth Grossman, the only Republican in the D.A.’s race, worked on criminal cases, municipal corruption and civil rights as an assistant district attorney. In the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, she served on the Investigations, Juvenile, Law, Narcotics and Trial divisions. Additionally, she held numerous leadership positions where she trained new prosecutors and worked in the community.
PGN: There have already been nine transgender women of color murdered across the nation this year. If elected, what will your office do to combat violence against transgender individuals in Philadelphia, specifically women of color?
BG: There has to be an absolute connection between the D.A.’s Office, the Philadelphia Police Department and the community, without question. No one deserves to be treated like a throwaway victim. Period. It goes to basic respect, from properly identifying the individual the way he or she identifies themselves and the fact that every bit of resource has to be put into this. No one should be subject to a homicide but this is an extremely vulnerable community that hasn’t been treated too well in the past. I think there needs to be [continued improvement of relationships] between the LGBT community and the police. It’s scary enough providing information to the police about a homicide but if you have not been treated well by the police, then you’re not going to want to come forward. If there’s better interaction based on respect back and forth, then maybe that will contribute to that person feeling comfortable enough to courageously step up.
PGN: If elected, will you assist PGN in our ongoing efforts to settle all open-records litigation for access to Nizah Morris records?
BG: I would be happy to look at everything that has been filed with regard to this open-records litigation and I would be happy and obligated to look at whatever files are available — from the police department to the D.A.’s Office — to take a long hard look at this. My heart aches for Ms. Morris and her family.
PGN: How would you approach racial disparities in both the charging and sentencing processes?
BG: I think that better training with regards to sentencing, and charging to a degree, needs to be done with new prosecutors because, in many ways, you’re so focused upon the victim, proving your cases or “Are my witnesses here?” Sometimes, you need to look across the aisle and see that there’s a human being there. Maybe it’s time to truly read the probation report, mental-health report or presentencing report to say, “What does this person really need?” Jail sentences should not be a feather in your cap. It’s time to look at things more holistically and that comes from immediate training with the prosecutors who come in. We can try a different approach and maybe that will keep people from coming back as recidivists.
PGN: What is your position on the current immigration crackdown being led by the Trump administration? What role does the D.A.’s Office play in this process?
BG: It certainly is in no way, shape or form the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office [job] to enforce any immigration policies. The role is to protect everyone and that includes undocumented residents who are living here in the city and county in Philadelphia. No one should be victimized of crime. I have grave concerns because I don’t want somebody who is undocumented here to be victimized twice by being afraid to report something to the police department. But to say that the D.A.’s Office cannot share information with ICE regarding violent offenders who are about to be cut loose and probably go back to a community where — more often than not — an undocumented, convicted defendant probably returns to the place where he [will likely be victimized] again … To me, not sharing that information to protect the public — that’s where my concern comes in. That’s where the core mission of the D.A.’s Office comes in.
PGN: In light of the bribery charges facing our current district attorney, what would you do to root out corruption within the office?
BG: I was a Democrat until 2013. I’m 49 years old. When the Democratic public officials in Philadelphia began getting investigated, I thought I took my oath as a public servant very seriously and proudly. I was proud to be a D.A. Those who take an oath of office should be held to a higher standard because you are a public servant. The public is your employer, essentially. I decided this was not the party for me, so I switched. Since that time, we’ve had six state representative Democrats convicted or plead guilty to corruption charges. What breaks my heart the most is District Attorney Seth Williams. As a Philadelphia Republican, I am not bound to our one-party system. I am not bound to our Democratic machine. I have no problem with rooting out and prosecuting public officials of crimes. And I’m not saying all Democrats are corrupt. When either party is in power for so long, it leads to complacency, which leads to corruption, and we just need more political balance in Philadelphia.
PGN: Some organizations have called for the release of data on the number of people of color convicted in Philadelphia each year. Is this something you would support?
BG: Absolutely. If there’s something wrong, then we all have an obligation to look at it. If something is broken, let’s try and fix it.
PGN: What is your position on cash bail?
BG: Making it more equitable or conceivably eliminate it for lower-level crime, I don’t have a problem with that. But for violent offenders and those who are truly dangerous to the community … For example, if somebody has five convictions for DUI, which is a misdemeanor, then more likely than not, he or she is going to get in that car again and something bad can conceivably happen. You have to look at each [case].
PGN: What is your position on the death penalty?
BG: I think in Pennsylvania, economically, it makes no sense. I’m not going to issue a blanket statement that I’m never going to seek the death penalty — only in extreme cases where it’s a child or torture was involved or a police officer or first responder was executed. I think we have to really look at this and see if this is the best use of our resources.
PGN: Do you think that police violence, specifically against communities of color, is an issue in Philadelphia? If so, what would you do to combat it?
BG: I would like to think it’s improving. I have a lot of confidence in Commissioner [Richard] Ross because with community-based policing, I think it works toward establishing trust. There are very valuable positions like community-relations officers who provide a link to folks but if there is police brutality against neighborhoods, including people of color, then those cases need to be investigated and prosecuted properly.
PGN: The D.A.’s Office has not had an LGBT liaison since the beginning of 2015. Is this a position you would resurrect?
BG: Absolutely, without question. There has to be a direct line of communication for so many issues. We serve the public and people need answers right away. You need a liaison between the D.A.’s Office, community, police and other community stakeholders without a question.
PGN: Do you support the statewide LGBT nondiscrimination bill? If yes, what would you do to advance it?
BG: Absolutely. Nobody should be discriminated [against] in any way, shape or form, including in the workplace. I think we should do what we can to support it.
PGN: Do you support the statewide hate-crimes bill? If yes, what would you do to advance this measure?
BG: I would be happy to advocate with the legislature to include LGBTQ individuals in our hate-crimes statute.
PGN: Until an LGBT-inclusive hate-crimes law is adopted, what do you think can be done to better track and report hate crimes motivated by a victim’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity?
BG: Sometimes if you get out into the community, you gain more information to figure out the issue. Community outreach is incredibly important. I would actually like a representative from the D.A.’s Office to track it. The more we know, the more it can lead to preventative measures or making sure crimes don’t get committed. I think with technology, there is no reason why we can’t track crimes in this day and age.
PGN: Why should the LGBT community vote for you?
BG: I devoted my entire career to being a public servant in Philadelphia. I love this city. I love the people in it. Nobody asks to be a victim of crime. Nobody should be a target for a victim of crime. I understand the label that I wear but I want the community to understand that I am a prosecutor at heart who has taken her oath seriously, who is not obligated to any outside source or group to prosecute — including those of public corruption. I’m also incredibly focused on how vulnerable the LGBTQ juveniles and youth are, especially the runaways and the issues with human trafficking. It is such a marginalized, vulnerable community so if I were elected D.A., that’s something I would focus on.
For more information about Beth Grossman, visit www.bethgrossman4da.com.