HRM mayor in the hot seatPeter Kelly answers questions about crimeSTATISTICS MAY SHOW crime is decreasing, but Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly still insists people shouldn’t walk alone in some areas of the city at night.
In light of several recent high-profile crimes of violence, Mr. Kelly agreed to an interview in his office Friday. He praised local police and asked citizens to lobby the federal and provincial governments for changes, including the addition of 2,500 new police officers that Prime Minister Stephen Harper promised in the last federal election campaign.
Five minutes before the tape started running, Mr. Kelly was given a list of 13 questions and was asked to keep his answers brief or they would be edited for length. He was also advised to be ready for followup questions throughout the interview.
Q As mayor, what power do you have to help stem violence in Halifax Regional Municipality?
A As mayor, I’m one of 24 members of council, and so for me, working with council, making sure police have the right resources to do the job is imperative. Also . . . with the round table (on violence), to get feedback from the public . . . to see what is going on with crime and why . . . (and) to work with the province and the federal government to make sure that we’re all working together on the issues of crime.
Q Please start this answer with a yes or no. Are there areas of the city where people shouldn’t walk alone after dark?
A Yes. People need to use, depending on the time of night, extra precautions or walk with . . . other individuals. For whatever reason, sometimes people try to take advantage of other people who are alone and think they are easily preyed upon. That brings concern and is bothersome.
Q Followup question: That’s not easy for you to say as mayor, is it?
A Absolutely not. It is probably one of the most difficult things to say. You want all of HRM to be safe and secure and to be able to go any time, any place without concern. With what we have seen over the last couple of weeks, it brings concern. In light of that concern, I would be lying to the public if I said otherwise. We are working with the police, and provided them with over 70 (additional) officers over the last three years, and the beat cops and others have been out there and the crime stats for this quarter have dropped 7.7 per cent (compared to the first six months of 2006).
Q Should teen dances be cancelled because of the recent stabbing of four security guards?
A I think you have to ensure that there is the proper policing in place . . . and drugs and alcohol are not a factor . . . and to do a proactive entry in terms of hanging up coats, knapsacks. There are standard operating procedures for dances and ensure that those are followed.
Q What can you do to tackle poverty, drug abuse and other root causes of violence among troubled youth?
A It’s not just in youth, crime is across the whole barrier. Youth have been in the forefront the last weeks. Drug abuse as well as education, or the lack thereof, there are many causes (of crime).
Q Followup question: There have been some serious youth crimes recently and they seem to show a real level of desperation. Can you as mayor do anything to help that situation?
A Yes, we can continue to work with the federal government, the province, the school system, community services, and also to ensure that those other components help them as well. This has to be an integrated approach.
Q Do you think there are more guns on local streets these days?
A I don’t know for sure. Do we think there are more guns, it would appear (so), but I don’t have the stats to say. Any use of any weapons brings concern.
Q What would you like citizens to do to make their city safer?
A We need to bring all the resources to the table. We have to make sure that the federal government and the province hear our needs. The public can help us pressure the federal government to honour their commitment. They promised 2,500 (police) officers (nationally) two years ago. None have been given yet. They also promised 1,000 RCMP. I have seen none. The province, we need to work with them to make sure that they step up and help us as well. We can work together, try to find long-term solutions and part of the round table is doing that. Come out, be a part of that and . . . bring your voice to the table.
Q What do you think of the Youth Criminal Justice Act?
A It needs to be changed. It needs to be strengthened. Any crime with a gun, a knife or any weapon should be an automatic time (in jail).
Q Two local dog owners were just fined $222. One was walking his pet in an area of Point Pleasant Park where dogs are not allowed, while the other man’s pit bull escaped from his property for a second time and killed 37 chickens. What should a citizen think of that?
A Bylaw enforcement (employees) are the ones that apply the dog bylaw, it’s not police. There have been complaints from park users of being chased by dogs, jumped on by dogs, and they want a response. So that’s a bylaw, this is not a policing issue.
Q Statistics Canada says Halifax’s violent crime rate is dropping. What do you think that means to citizens?
A It’s reassuring that the extra resources we have given to police are starting to work. The last two years now, the numbers have dropped. Putting the beat cops back on is very important and has an impact. Police strategies that we’re using to deal with issues are having an impact. Are we where we want to be? No. Are we heading in the right direction? Yes, we are, but we have more to do.
Q When it comes to crime coverage, what do you think of the local media?
A The media has a job to do. To use outdated stats is a concern. To make wrong statements is a concern. (He disputed a comment that Dan Leger, The Chronicle Herald’s director of news content, made to The Canadian Press to the effect that results from the mayor’s round table on violence are being withheld until after the tourist season.) We did not have the round table yet. There are no stats to hide. We did the phone survey, we did 5,000 mail-outs, we did seven focus groups, we’re doing the public meetings in the fall and the round table will be in October. So it is due process going on.
Q What’s your message to the city’s cops . . . keep up the good work or do a better job?
A With what they have, they’re doing a fantastic job. Their job is challenging. They’re dealing with a court system . . . that should not be a revolving door but is responsive to the police needs.
Q What’s your message to teenagers who are starting to get into trouble with the law?
A Don’t go down that path, try to change. Seek help, get involved with sports, music, work or whatever it takes to try to go in a positive direction.
Q Followup question: Do you think Halifax has enough recreational facilities or outlets for children at risk?
A We’re doing our analysis as we speak. We need to work with the schools to open up the schools longer, to use the gyms in after-school programs. We need to open up our facilities longer. Are we where we need to be? No. We know we have to be proactive going in that direction.
Q What’s your message to drug users and dealers?
A Seek help. Change. It causes health and safety concerns . . . crime issues.
Q What’s your message to worried residents of HRM?
A We’re trying to do the best we can with the resources we have. We need to work with all the stakeholders: the federal government, the province, the court system, the educational system, community services, health care. . . . We are trying to look down the road and get a long-term strategy. Our intent is to put in a three-pronged approach for recommendations: . . . the federal government’s responsibility, what the province should do and . . . our responsibility. It will be a very clear direction . . . and one that will be far-reaching in terms of our expectations and also where we seek change. That would include the courts . . . community services, housing, education and those others (things) that affect people’s lives day in, day out.
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/856637.html 
Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly refers to notes in his office on Friday during a question-and-answer session with Chronicle Herald reporter Dan Arsenault on violent crime in the city.
Post edited by: admin, at: 2007/09/01 10:00
