 In 2005 he supported efforts to mitigate the spike in crime in Richmond stating, "Our purpose is to take pro-active steps by implementing a firearm violence prevention action plan through a collaborative effort with the Richmond Police Department, the faith community, the state and federal law enforcement agencies and the citizens of the city..."

In 2001 there was a controversy between him and councilman Nat Bates over who received more time at the microphone at the city's Cinco de Mayo event.Bates claimed that the event should have been called "Marquez de Mayo" and wanted more time to address the crowd himself.City manager Tony Thurmond when questioned stated "he did not want to touch" the matter and later Bates requested a report by the parks department, and made a complaint to mayor Rosemary Corbin.