In this episode of the National Police Association Podcast, Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith sits down with congressional candidate Christian Maxwell—a straight-talking Chicago resident determined to revive her home city and state. From battling skyrocketing crime to defending the Second Amendment, Maxwell lays out a candid, data-driven plan to make Illinois safer for law-abiding citizens and more accountable to its taxpayers.

Memorable Points

* Crime Deterrence Requires Consequences – Maxwell argues that lenient prosecution and short-staffed police embolden repeat offenders.
* Second-Amendment Rights Matter – Allowing responsible citizens to carry legally could reduce carjackings, retail theft, and home invasions.
* Economic Vitality Depends on Safety – Businesses flee when security costs outweigh profits; reviving Chicago’s economy starts with making streets safe again.
* Data-Driven, Not Utopian, Solutions – Target repeat offenders, support thorough police reporting, and leverage crime data to deploy resources effectively.
* Citizen Advocacy Doesn’t End on Election Day – Win or lose, Maxwell pledges to keep holding Illinois leaders accountable.