Stronger, safer, and smarter: if it sounds familiar, that's because it was the campaign platform Mayor Byron Brown ran on in 2013.
But does that track record hold true today? The answer is yes and no.
Mark Goodspeed is the second vice president of the buffalo police association. He believes crime is not down these days. “We've already had 10 homicides this year. The most you've had in like a decade I think.”
The mayor also said roughly 11,000 illegal guns have been taken off the streets on his watch. Goodspeed says that's true. But he isn't giving the mayor credit for the stat. “As far as getting guns off the street, I think that's just a testament to this department. It has nothing to do with politics.”
Erie County Democratic Chairman, Jeremy Zellner plans to support Brown for re-election. He isn't a city resident and couldn't comment on crime stats in the city. But he believes the mayor delivers on campaign promises and said the city has seen unprecedented growth under Brown's leadership. “He hasn't just been a mayor for a certain part of the city, he's been a mayor for the entire city. He's built a political governmental strength at every level.”
City Comptroller, Mark Schroeder is expected to primary Brown this fall. He told 7 Eyewitness News he plans to make a formal announcement next month.