Candidates for York mayor in the 2017 election debated issues including crime and taxes during a debate at the Rotary Club of York on Nov. 1.


What's the solution to the spate of gun violence that continued in York this week, including two daytime shootings within a few hours of each other on Wednesday?

We asked the three candidates for mayor to weigh in on the subject.

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More: Two people exchange gunfire at York corner store

Mayor Kim Bracey

"One shooting is too many," said Bracey, who is seeking a third term.

She calls the violence, which comes at a time when the city is seeing a renaissance, "exasperating" and "unacceptable."

"It's troublesome and it bothers me as it bothers all the citizens I've talked to," Bracey said. "It takes all of us, it's not something that just rests on the shoulders of the mayor. It's not something we can arrest our way out of."

The solution includes getting guns off the street and addressing the root causes of crime, Bracey said.

That includes finding jobs for young people, which the city does through its summer jobs program

"This is not unique to York," she said. "It's a national problem, a national epidemic."

More: Bracey: Fighting crime while fighting fictions with facts and figures (column)

More: York mayoral candidates tackle crime, taxes, economic development in debate

City Council President Michael Helfrich

Helfrich wants the city to hire "a few more officers" to improve response times and also get at the underlying causes of crime.

His strategy includes bringing more jobs into the city by attracting new businesses, including focusing on high-tech manufacturing. 

Helfrich also wants to open community centers in 20 churches in the city, one in each neighborhood. He'd fund them with a total of $400,000 and $600,000 a year in federal Community Development Block Grant dollars with nonprofits picking up the balance.

More: Will voters elect Bracey for a third term Tuesday? Turnout, desire for change could be key

The community centers would offer after-school programs, job training and help for mothers with young children.

"What is obvious to me is that the government needs to not only focus on the idea that police will stop crime but the power and resources of government must be used to address the conditions in our neighborhoods that allow for crime to run rampant."

Bracey, meanwhile, said there already are community centers in the city and that if Helfrich thinks the city needs more of them, he could do that as City Council President.

"I don't think he needs to be mayor to do that," she said. "He could do that now."

Helfrich said he's gotten involved in helping the families of murder victims in the city, including connecting them with local businesses and nonprofits that can help with funeral costs and other expenses. 

"Doing that doesn't stop crime, but it's a better use of time than saying how safe the city is," he said.

More: Helfrich: Here's my plan to reduce violent crime in York (column)

More: York mayoral debate: Candidates spar over crime, Bracey declines to discuss son

York City Schools director Dave Moser

"We as a society need to stop glorifying this behavior," Moser said in a statement. "Learn to love ourselves so we can teach our children to do the same and value life. We all need to seek out better ways of conflict resolution and practice what we learn with our children. Talk to them. Listen to them. Understand our children so they feel like someone understands them...."

More: Moser: 'Where are the cops? Why don’t I see them on my street?' (column)

Also of interest, watch videos from one of the debates:

On crime....


Kim Bracey and Michael Helfrich spar over crime in York City

On the race riots anniversary...


With the upcoming 50th anniversary of the race riots, the candidates talk about how we should remember it.

On the elephants in the room...


The mayoral candidates get an opportunity to address personal issues that are being talked about.

Closing arguments...


The mayoral candidates explain why they should be elected.

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