What should be the Top Priority of local government in Cedar Rapids?

Mayor Kay Halloran told the attendees at the Fair Housing Conference on June 25, 2009 that "Housing" was the City of Cedar Rapids' top priority. While housing is certainly important in our community, is it really the #1 priority for local government in Cedar Rapids?

What about Public Safety?

The private sector certainly has housing as a very important priority, but why should it be #1 priority for local government? Individuals should have a priority, when it comes to housing. Local government plays a far greater role in public safety, than housing. At least that should be the case.

Jobs, housing and economic development are all important. Local government must help the private sector in making those priorities efficiently be obtained. The lack of Public Safety can have a negative impact on jobs, housing and economic development, so for local government... public safety needs to be highest priority on our local government's priority list.

Local government should remain limited in scope, when it comes to jobs, housing and economic development. Public Safety, public infrastructure, delivery of public services, finance and parks are the primary categories for local government, whether it be Cedar Rapids or elsewhere.

Cedar Rapids historically has been a safe, family-friendly community with a good education system and work ethic as one of the November mayoral candidates recently pointed out in an article.

“That’s really been the bedrock of our community.” - Ron Corbett

However, public safety is a concern in the City of Cedar Rapids today. We are seeing an increase of burglaries, street violence and sadly, even worse violence, which leads to the loss of human life. The Gazette reports a murder occurred in Cedar Rapids on Friday, June 26, 2009 over a dice game.

Authorities investigate the shooting Friday night at the Cedarwood Hills
apartment complex, 2030 Glass Rd. NE. One man died of injuries suffered in the
shooting. - The Gazette

A community cannot tackle housing as effective as they need, if our local government doesn't take a strong commitment towards public safety. We need leadership in Cedar Rapids and Public Safety should be their #1 priority.

[PDF] The Role of Local Government in Community Safety
View as HTML From Crime Prevention to. Community Safety. Mayors and
local government officials have played a major role in the evolution of
community safety over ...

Housing is a priority best left for the private sector. Local government must take the lead on Public Safety. Community policing is a key component, which includes housing enforcement, zoning and use, along with police, fire and safe streets and infrastructure.

Remember, public safety doesn't stop with local government. Citizens, neighbors, the business community and the community at large must play a major role in crime prevention and safe neighborhoods. The Police can't do it alone.

Robin Tucker