Lawrence Mayoral Candidates Talk Public Safety

Lawrence mayoral candidates incumbent Republican Steve Collier and Democratic challenger Jamar Cobb-Dennard engaged in the race’s first debate Thursday. 

Both candidates say the city, in northeast Marion County, needs to address crime and poverty.

Cobb-Dennard says an increased police force is necessary to tackle the crime issue.

“More police isn’t the only solution, but that’s one of the first places that we need to start," Cobb-Dennard says. "So that our men and women in blue can feel safe and confident in the streets."

Incumbent Collier disagrees. He says Lawrence doesn't need more officers, the officers need more resources.

"We simply can’t police our way out of crime in any city," Collier says. "What we can do is give our officers the best tools possible to be able to help them detect and resolve crime."

He pointed to the new police body cameras and police station.

The candidates also discussed panhandling. Collier says finding residents work during the day could decrease it.

“I’m not sure what the answer to that is, other than try to find them places to work so they don’t have to resort to panhandling," Collier says.

“Other cities have solved this problem," Cobb-Dennard says. "To be honest, I don’t know the answer. So we'll look at national examples of what has been done to handle panhandling.”

Lawrence is one of four excluded cities in Marion County, meaning residents are also represented by the Indianpolis City-County Council and the Indianapolis mayor.