Buffalo, NY (WBEN) Primary Election Day has arrived in Buffalo and Western New York with polls open 6 am to 9 pm.
Three candidates are vying for the Democratic nomination in the race for mayor of Buffalo. Incumbent Byron Brown is being challenged by India Walton and LeCandice Durham.
Brown says it was imperative to run again for the future of the city. "Experienced leadership is critically needed to get the community through the pandemic and to help us build back better and stronger than ever before," says Brown who says he did not have to lay off one city employee. "I felt it was critical to heed the calls of so many to run again to keep our city moving."
Brown addressed police reforms, a major issue in the campaign. He says there have been dozens of reforms, including "training every officer to be a community police officer, providing funding to equip officers with body cameras, something that was called for in this community and all across the country." He says the murder of George Floyd prompted the city to ban chokeholds and no-knock warrants and the establishment of the behavioral health team within Buffalo Police.
India Walton says she threw her hat into ring because of the lack of response regarding the pandemic and uprisings last summer. "I will be a leader who will work with community leaders to make change," says Walton. Walton says Brown has been absent during the pandemic. "The city has plenty of resources to play an active role in caring for people during the pandemic, yet we saw mutual aid networks popping up, and people donating stimulus checks to be able to feed neighbors," claims Walton.
Walton says Buffalo has had a policing problem long before the murder of George Floyd. "In 2016, I was a part of a group that brought 32 policy recommendations that would have prevented such conflict that was pretty much ignored," says Walton. She calls Brown's reforms lackluster at best. "The state attorney general agrees and she's encouraging the city to implement a civilian independent oversight board, which I think would be a good next step in improving the relationship between Buffalo Police and the community," explains Walton.
Walton says there's a lack of accountability in leadership from Brown on down. "We see officers who are allowed to perpetuate misconduct time and time again. The city is settling lawsuits with tens of millions of taxpayer dollars. I am the one who will rise up," says Walton.
Walton says police should not be called to every mental health call. "I think if a situation is unsafe, then it may call for a police officer, but the data shows uniformed officers, even if unarmed, have a tendency to escalate the situation," notes Walton.
LeCandice Durham is a complaint clerk with the city of Buffalo. "I listen to all the complaints in the city. Many of the calls resonated, and I am in this race," says Durham. "The biggest complaints is the roads, so I'd like the roads be repaired first." Durham says she'd like to see the east side dealt with first as she notes the roads there are horrendous.
Durham says she won't consider defunding police. "I would love to see more community policing and interaction between residents and police. I would also like to see more training and education," adds Durham.
Durham also wants reforms in Central Booking. "They do not have a nurse down there. If something were to happen, there's no one to administer proper care," notes Durham.
Durham says she would like mental health calls with counselors paired off with officers. "But to take officers out, no, I cannot see that happening," says Durham.
Polls are open until 9pm tonight.
