October 22, 2020

 

Three are vying to represent Redwood City’s District 7 that consists of the predominantly residential Farm Hill area — recently retired community police officer Chris Rasmussen, incumbent Alicia Aguirre and nonprofit program facilitator Mark Wolohan. 

 

Faced with mounting crises including economic uncertainty caused by COVID-19, civil unrest due to disproportionate community policing and a regional housing shortage, the three candidates largely separated themselves through speaking on their backgrounds during an online interview. 

 

Rasmussen largely reflected on his time as a Redwood City police officer when discussing police reform and interactions with homeless residents. 

 

Rasmussen also called for developing around transit center areas to protect the character of single-family neighborhoods which also need to be protected from being redeveloped into mansion-sized homes, he said. 

 

The three candidates were hesitant to support development at the salt ponds owned by Cargill Inc. To defend the city against sea level rise, many have also called for the ponds to be returned to marsh land, a notion the candidates supported.  

 

Residents and activists have also rallied in the city to push officials toward stronger police reform. Protests erupted in May following police killings of Black Americans, leading thousands to gather in Redwood City’s Courthouse Square and calls from residents to reimagine policing in the city.  

 

Rasmussen voiced strong support for transparency, police oversight “if done correctly,” and for diversifying the department to look more like the community it serves. He and Wolohan agreed more officers should be hired from within the city. 

 

“We need to look at sustainability with our officers and community investments. ... Our community should look like our police department as well,” said Rasmussen, who supports implementing community services officers to respond to traffic and other nonviolent calls.