PROBLEM: While crime is down throughout the city, many portions of the ward have NOT experienced a significant drop in criminal activity. SOLUTION: We must create strong relationships between residents, businesses, law enforcement, social services agencies and elected officials. Additionally, we must have a fully staffed police force that is equipped to fight crime. The City must do a better job of recruiting new officers and properly supporting the ones we have. I will fight to ensure that we have our full complement of police officers, and help strengthen relationships between law enforcement, residents, businesses, not-for-profit agencies and elected officials.A recent NBC-5 news report disclosed that the 6th district (which runs through the heart of the ward) averaged a response time of over 5 hours and 16 minutes during a three-week period. This suggests that we do not have enough officers on the street to address the problems that while still important, are not high priorities. http://www.nbc5.com/news/10417034/detail.html In addition to addressing existing crime, we must also work to prevent crime. This means focusing on those who are at risk of becoming involved in it. We must: • Create innovative programs for youth and adults; • Ensure opportunities for employment and skills training; • Partner with (and fund) social service agencies dedicated to crime prevention. Back to Issues >>