THUNDER BAY – John Radl is seeking a seat on Thunder Bay City Council in the Westfort ward.
Here are his answers to the questions on crime:
Question: Thunder Bay has formed a Crime Prevention Council, how long will it take before that Council meets, and how long afterward to implement its recommendations?
Answer: Thunder Bay Crime Prevention council- After people are selected should be by end of year their first job is to find money in order to achieve its goals. The key to this committee is to throw money at crime related problems and persons. So a fair est. of time before recommendations is at least one to two years.
Question: Over the past year, some on Council along with the Police Services Board have suggested the crime rates are not as bad as they looked.
What is your reaction to Thunder Bay being listed 23rd most dangerous city?
Answer: This indicates both Police management and council where trying to hide the facts from public before election. Our city had Neighbourhood Policing that in fact was lowering crime rate. Members of council and Police management ended it. Council because they did not know any better and Police Management because it had to work to closely with civilian volunteer committees. Thus losing some control of their Neighbourhood officers. They seemed not to have a care about the crime rate and to this day have still not truthfully spoken about the problem. Reason they have no clue how to lower it. This scares me, high crime rates and an uncaring Police Management.
Question: The CEDC and Thunder Bay Tourism are working very hard to build our brand as a great place to work, visit and live.
Do you feel that Macleans Magazine’s article can harm those efforts?
Answer: Yes, greatly. Companies outside Thunder Bay look at this, tourists read this, why would they come here?
Are there any other comments you would like to make?
Comments: I was the first supervisor for Neighbourhood policing and when I was in charge I recorded 60% decline in property crimes and 25% decline in violent crimes. This was thrown away by Police Management for one reason. The Chief had no use for anyone or thing that got in the way of his special units and his sole right to run his service as he saw fit. He disbanded a 5 man foot patrol unit then 2 years later asked and got authority to hire 3 more officers for foot patrol. This is poor management that shows a lack of caring for crime in our neighbourhoods.
Can I add the following; why is our newspaper trying to discredit one mayor candidate?
