‘We’re in a bad place’: Political newcomer running for Loloee’s former Sacramento council seat
Political newcomer Daryl Collins is running for Sean Loloee’s former seat on Sacramento City Council.
Collins, 68, is a former state law enforcement officer and now runs a youth nonprofit called Voices of Inspiration. With deep roots in North Sacramento, he was raised by his grandmother in Del Paso Heights and owns a home there, he said. He raised three kids who all graduated from Grant Union High School.
“I’m focused on engaging and empowering the community,” Collins said. “I’m a spokesman and a minister for the community and I will stand strong for the community.
He has revitalized two dilapidated buildings along the district’s struggling commercial corridors — one on Del Paso Boulevard where he opened a barbecue restaurant and one on Rio Linda Boulevard where he runs his nonprofit.
To address homelessness, he has let a few folks stay in trailers outside his nonprofit, he said.
“A lot of people live in shared rooms,” said Collins. “They’re paying almost $850 to be in a shared room, and only receiving $1100 a month in Social Security.”
But he is only in favor of the city opening new homeless shelters in the district that are temporary, not permanent such as those in Meadowview and on Broadway.
“We are already over flooded in our district,” Collins said.
The day after former Councilman Sean Loloee resigned amid federal labor criminal charges, the city announced it was opening a new large homeless shelter in the district, on Roseville Road. It also has a shelter on Auburn Boulevard and on Colfax Street. Some council districts have no large city shelters.
Over 2,400 people are still on the citywide wait list for a bed.
Collins does not agree with some council members who want to reduce police funding in order to fund more shelters. He said he would support the selective hiring of new officers to fill vacancies.
“We understand the issues with policing,” said Collins, who is Black. “At the same time, as long as we have the right to officers who do the right things we need our policing.”
Collins’ barbecue restaurant was burglarized at least seven times, and the overworked police were unable to do a thorough job responding, he said.
“I want to assist my community because we’re in a bad place,” Collins said. “We’re in a bad place.”
The primary will be held March 5. If no single candidate receives at least 50.01% of the vote, the winner will be determined in the Nov. 5 primary.
