INDIANAPOLIS — The Republican, Democrat, and Libertarian candidates for mayor of Indianapolis squared off in one final debate last night.
Crime and roads dominated the discussion hosted by FOX 59 and West Side Chamber of Commerce. Incumbent Democrat Mayor Joe Hogsett said “we are making progress” on crime, but did acknowledge the increasing homicide rate over the last three years.
“We’re making progress,” Hogsett said. “Violent crime numbers are down. We may enjoy the first year-to-year reduction in the number of homicides. So, we’ve made progress but with a lot of work to do.”
Republican challenger Jim Merritt again pushed his plan to increase the number of police officers in the city and to install a new police chief. Libertarian Doug McNaughton says more police officers won’t solve violent crime, but rather making better efforts to combat crime directly.
Merritt also touched on his plan to start dabbling in tolling on certain roads in Marion County, such as Binford Boulevard, in order to pay for road and infrastructure repair.
“I think many people would use a ‘hot-lane’ to get in and out of Marion County,” Merritt said. “We’re going to have to find different ways to raise revenue, possibly from the outside counties, and that is a solid solution.”
The election is on November 5th.
(PHOTO: Indy Politics)
