THUNDER BAY – Norm Staal is running for a seat on Thunder Bay City Council as a Councillor at Large.
Here are his answers on the issue of crime:
Question: 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?
Answer: As I have said before, I’m not a crime expert, but crime does affect me, since I’m a property owner on Simpson Street and area. I can tell you, for a fact that there is a lot of unreported crime in the south core. I hear councillors constantly saying for one, they are looking after crime with this Crime Prevention Council. My second issue is that they had repeatedly denied there was a problem until they had no choice but to accept the fact that crime was out of control.
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: There is nothing we can do about this past mistake, but we will have to work harder to fix the problem. I don’t have the answers, but will look at any positive initiatives, if I’m voted in council.
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?
Answer: This ranking has the potential to hurt Thunder Bay, harming tourism, people moving here and investment in our city.
