ST. PETERSBURG- Mayoral contender Paul Congemi said today that he will focus his campaign outreach on the neighborhoods that make up Midtown and Childs Park.

Congemi said residents in those low-income neighborhoods need the most help because they are plagued by violence and drugs.

"I'm going to tell them not to be afraid," he said. "They need a mayor who is going to bring them hope."

He said the police department is too corrupt to help those residents. When pressed, he said most leaders in every law enforcement agency are corrupt. "Street cops," however, are not corrupt, he said.

-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer