ST. PETERSBURG - Crime is up.

Here is the e-mail mayoral hopeful Scott Wagman sent to supporters Wednesday addressing his proposed solution: As reported in today's Times, "Crime still climbing in St. Petersburg. Reported crime rose 9 percent, according to St. Petersburg Police Department statistics, compared with the first six months of 2008." This serious community problem persists even though the city has reached the budgeted maximum number of police officers.

I believe we need more officers, and under my administration they will be visible in our communities.

The ratio of police to population in Tampa is 3 police officers for every 1,000 citizens. In St. Petersburg it's 2.14 officers per 1,000 citizens. St. Petersburg would need an additional 210 officers to reach the same ratio as Tampa. Although reaching the Tampa ratio is beyond the city's budget ability at this time, I do feel, over the next four years, we should have a goal of 100 additional police officers, increasing the ratio closer to 2.54 officers per 1,000 citizens (the national average) to better address the growing crime problems in St. Petersburg.

My goal, over the next four years, is to add 100 additional police officers on the streets of St. Petersburg. Fortunately, approximately 10 will be paid for with Federal Stimulus money. Here’s how we’ll pay for the rest:

Through performance audits we will find waste and reprioritize $1.5 million of current expenses each year and,

We will invest from ½ of 1% the first year to 3% the last year of the city’s $286 million reserve funds.

I believe the public is willing to invest a small percentage of the city’s reserve funds to make St. Petersburg neighborhoods safe and secure.

Crime is not just a public safety issue; it’s an economic development issue. High crime rates have a detrimental impact on all elements of a thriving, successful city, from tourism to job creation. The drive to end crime in St Petersburg will absolutely be the number 1, 2 and 3 priority of my administration when I am elected as the next Mayor of St Petersburg. Give me your comments.

Cristina Silva, Times staff writer

*