KWWL.com - News & Weather for Waterloo, Dubuque, Cedar Rapids & Iowa City, Iowa | Waterloo mayoral candidates weigh in on recent violence

Waterloo mayoral candidates weigh in on recent violence

by John Wilmer

WATERLOO (KWWL) – Their signs are planted in the same neighborhoods where gun shots have been ringing out. The next mayor of Waterloo will inherit a problem that only seems to be growing and that's why both candidates, Buck Clark and Steve Schmitt say public safety is their top priority.

As a council person Steve Schmitt was in favor of hiring additional police officers to patrol troubled neighborhoods.

"It's not just additional police, we need to involve neighborhood associations. We need to involve the faith based organizations, but I do believe having those additional officers will give us those eyes out in the streets more than we have today," said Schmitt.

Buck Clark was a police officer for 18 years in Waterloo, he says police officers need to get out of their patrol cars and get to know the people they are serving.

"We can have a different effect at least on solving these crimes if the citizens have a relationship with police officers and if the police officers have a relationship with the citizens," said Clark.

Both candidates agree that this problem is only getting bigger and it's tarnishing the image of Waterloo.

"In certain parts of town people are not comfortable going out and walking their dogs at night, they're not comfortable sitting on their porches and if you do not feel safe in your own home that is unacceptable," said Schmitt.

"It's extremely important that we get to that point where we call Waterloo a safe city and we will get there," said Clark.

Clark and Schmitt both say this is a community problem and solving it starts at home. They say parents need to get involved in their children's lives and keep them out of trouble.

Online Reporter: John Wilmer