Press Release:

PULASKI COUNTY SHERIFF RANDY JOHNSON, PROSECTING ATTORNEY LARRY JEGLEY AND CORONER MARK MALCOLM ENDORSE MARK STODOLA’S PLAN TO FIGHT CRIME
Plan Outlines Priorities to Make Little Rock Safer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2006     

Contact: Robert McLarty
501-374-6000

LITTLE ROCK, AR. Mayoral candidate Mark Stodola today announced a detailed plan to combat crime in Little Rock. The plan titled “Stopping Crime: Putting Your Safety First” outlines necessary steps to reduce the rising crime rate throughout the city. The plan highlights Stodola’s belief that reducing the crime rate is the key to bringing more economic development and new business to the city.

The current crime facts for Little Rock are alarming. According to a recent report released by Morgan Quitno Press, which bases the rankings on FBI figures, Little Rock ranks in the top 25 of most dangerous cities in the country. Mark Stodola believes that he has the right experience to address this important issue and other issues that face our overall quality life for the people of Little Rock.

The reduction of Little Rock’s high murder rate as well as the high incidences of burglaries in other parts of the city will be Mayor Stodola’s top priority. “People deserve to be safe and feel protected in their homes. As Mayor, I’ll partner with neighborhoods to reestablish community-oriented policing.” Stodola added, “We have to make the current city budget fit the needs of our citizens. I will take the necessary steps to make our budget reflect the actions needed to fight crime.” The plan lays out Stodola’s vision to increase the police force, clean up abandoned houses by pursuing absentee landlords, reestablish community-oriented policing, develop a Mid-Town Substation and ensure effective prevention, intervention and treatment programs for our young people.

The plan also calls for increasing the community service work component so that people who are convicted of crimes will pay back the citizens of Little Rock by cleaning up our streets, neighborhoods and parks.

In addition to the unveiling of Mark Stodola’s crime plan, Stodola received the backing from three notable crime professionals, Pulaski County Prosecutor Larry Jegley, Pulaski County Sheriff Randy Johnson and Coroner Mark Malcolm who all have first hand knowledge of the current crime problem.
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