The S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications hosted the Syracuse mayoral candidates for a debate on Wednesday, Oct. 20. The debate, which was livestreamed on Syracuse.com, had candidates discussing topics ranging from crime to the Interstate 81 construction project. 

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    The debate was moderated by editor and former city government reporter Chris Baker, and consisted of 60-90 second responses for longer questions, as well as a “lightning round” of questions. 

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    Issues relating to crime and community safety dominated the debate. Baker asked if the Syracuse police officers who were involved in extracting a confession from a man under police custody should be punished, after the man was found to be innocent and released from the jail he spent 8 months in. Democratic candidate and Syracuse Common Councilor At Large, Khalid Bey, was the only candidate to say yes. 

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    “When we talk about receiving the type of service and protection from police officers that we expect to get, certainly bad actors who willfully make those kinds of decisions have to be held accountable.”

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    Incumbent Mayor Ben Walsh, the Independent candidate, disagreed. 

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    “I have had this discussion with Chief Buckner and to this point Chief Buckner has not shared any information with me that would suggest that discipline is necessary,” said Mayor Walsh. 

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    The question addressed growing concerns over police reform and tactics. According to a Gallup study conducted in 2020, 58% of Americans believe policing in the United States needs to undergo “major changes.”

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    As 2021 sees an increase in violent crime within the city, Syracuse is looking for ways to recruit police officers. Mayor Walsh cited competition from the sheriff’s office and safety concerns as reasons why the Syracuse Police Department is struggling to outpace resignations and retirements. There is currently a debate on if the City of Syracuse should require officers to reside in Syracuse as part of their contract. Each candidate had a different take on the matter. 

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    “I would prefer to recruit from within the city than to require police hired from outside of the city to live in the city. I'm concerned that we may face a hiring disadvantage in the near term, because serving as a police officer in the City of Syracuse right now is not generally considered a respectable position,” said Janet Burman, the Republican candidate.

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    Burman continued, saying police officers fear retaliation and have safety concerns regarding their families living in the city. 

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    Both Councilor Bey and Mayor Walsh agreed that requiring residency from newly hired police officers would increase engagement between law enforcement and the community. Burman opposed requiring residency for new officers.

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    The topic changed to the I-81 project that is set to begin in two years. There are concerns by those who live close to the interstate that air pollution will arise from the construction. Burman said the city must provide alternate housing arrangements for Syracuse citizens who do not wish to return to their home due to these environmental implications. Councilor Bey agreed, and said there should also be a focus on traffic routes.

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    “Certainly one of the very important things is a reconfiguring of the traffic patterns. I think there's a number of things that have to happen to reduce the oncoming congestion that many will experience as a result of the viaduct being removed,” said Bey. 

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    Mayor Walsh said “formal comments” have already been submitted on behalf of the city regarding the environmental impact of the I-81 reconfiguration. He continued, saying there have been efforts to provide job opportunities to Syracuse citizens who want to work on the project. 

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    Early voting began on Oct. 23, and the election is on Tuesday, Nov. 2. No matter the outcome, the election will be historic; Burman would be the first Republican mayor of Syracuse in 20 years, and Councilor Bey would be Syracuse’s first Black mayor. Mayor Walsh already made history as the first Independent mayor of Syracuse in over 100 years but if he wins again, he would break his own record and become the only Independent mayor to hold office for two terms. 

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