Summerside mayoral candidates differ in crime approaches

Both candidates running for mayor of Summerside say crime is a concern in the city, but each has a different solution to address the issue.

Each year, Statistics Canada releases its Crime Severity Index, based on police reports from across the country. It takes into account not only the volume of crime, but also the seriousness of the crimes.

For 2013, Summerside's rate was 115, about 30 points higher than Charlottetown.

Candidate Bill Martin believes one of the main reasons for the crime rate is drug addictions in the city.

“A large portion of petty crime, armed robberies, breaking into cars, breaking into homes, purse snatching, these kinds of things, in my view, can be attributed to people who have a substance abuse addiction.”

Martin says creating more jobs would help.

“So if we can create an environment in the city where there are opportunities for young people, that they can look forward to, they're less likely to fall into the negative habits."

Incumbent mayor, Basil Stewart has a different solution.

“I think more has to go into the school systems and educate the kids, you know, how harmful it can be and affects so many lives, [other than] their own, you know, to get involved in crime.”

Stewart says, if elected mayor, he'd continue to support programs such as the Boys and Girls Club and Generation XX.