Indianapolis’ Republican mayoral candidates get their town hall turn

Four Republican candidates running for Indianapolis mayor gathered for a forum Thursday night at the Indy Star.

The candidates discussed public safety, economic opportunity, redistricting and the environment.

Jefferson Shreve, businessman and former city-county councilor, said the city needs to do a better job retaining police officers and stop being reactive.

“We can’t get ahead of it that way and we burn out the officers we have because they’re working so much overtime, we’re losing them – we’ve got to do better,” Shreve said.

Shreve was also asked about development and its relation to the environment.

“Is this going to be priority number one in the Shreve administration? No, but it’s part of placemaking that is a priority,” he said. 

Abdul-Hakim Shabazz is a lawyer and political commentator. He discussed his proposal to bring back the public safety director position to deal with record levels of homicides.

When asked about statements he’s made in the past, Shabazz said he stands by his words. 

Shabazz also said Indianapolis could be the capital of the Midwest.

“You start by poaching Chicago jobs,” he said.

In response to a question about how to improve election turnout, Shabazz was hopeful this primary would draw interest.

“It’s really more about the candidates than anything else – if you have competitive races and quality, candidates people will come out,” he said.

Pastor James Jackson echoed what many Republicans have argued for in the past as a tactic to improve public safety. 

“The importance of ending the release of repeat, violent offenders,” he said.

Jackson also said there needs to be better connection between people and resources to end homelessness and address the housing crisis.

Businessman John Couch said crime reduction is an issue of self-control.  He said he’s disappointed in many areas overseen by the current administration.

“Crime, infrastructure, economic development, items that were promised by the city-county council, they’re not getting done,” Couch said.

Earlier in the week, Democratic candidates met for a similar forum at Indy Star. Questions were sourced from the public. There are nine people running for Indianapolis mayor in the upcoming primary election.

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @JillASheridan.