THUNDER BAY – Andy Wolf is running in Current River ward for a seat on City Council.
Here are his responses on the crime issue:
Questions: Thunder Bay has formed a Crime Prevention Council, how long will it take before that Council meets, and how long afterward to implement its recommendations?
As first time members joining city council, it will take time to familiarize ourselves with all procedures and issues affecting the city. It’s unrealistic to put a set time, until we have our priorities in place. From what I understand, this Crime Prevention Council is in its beginning stages and its members are not yet chosen. I would like to see membership consist of at least the following:
- One member from city council
- A representative from the police department
- Representation from local businesses
- Representation from the general public
The selection process will probably not be completed until the New Year, so I believe this group won’t be able to meet until then.
As for the second part of the question, we won’t know how long it will take to implement the Crime Prevention Council’s recommendations, until they determine what challenges they need to overcome and what resources they have available to achieve this.
Question: Over the past year, some on Council along with the Police Services Board have suggested the crime rates are not as bad as they looked.
What is your reaction to Thunder Bay being listed 23rd most dangerous city?
Answer: I don’t care what MacLean’s magazine thinks of us. I care what the people of Thunder Bay think. Going from door to door, a number of people have said to me, crime is a problem in their area. Also, I have been observing a number of citizens and members of the police department approach city council with proposed solutions, only to be ignored. This article merely enforces what we already know.
Question: The CEDC and Thunder Bay Tourism are working very hard to build our brand as a great place to work, visit and live.
Do you feel that Macleans Magazine’s article can harm those efforts?
If city council implements projects and programs that prove to be effective in the future, it won’t matter what this present article has stated.
Are there any other comments would you like to make?
The following is my stand on crime:
Reducing Crime!
Crime is on the rise and there does not seem to be a response by the city to address the situation. Although prevention will not eliminate crime, it can go a long way into reducing it.
These are the following proposals I will bring to city council:
• Reorganize the police department, so more police officers are walking the streets.
• Bring back the Neighborhood Police Program.
• Send city workers to immediately repair any damaged city property.
• Re-establish the various types of youth centres; WE give so will they.