Little Rock mayoral candidate Steve Landers recently released a three-point crime plan that says he will “build, fund and recruit” to make the city safer. Though he’s led a crime-focused campaign so far, this is the first time he’s offered specifics on how to tackle the issue. It’s also the only policy plan Landers has offered thus far in the campaign.
Landers detailed the three points during an interview on Monday. He said that “build” is based around the premise of collaboration with surrounding agencies like Arkansas State Police, the Pulaski County Sheriff’s office and federal law enforcement agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Agency. The Little Rock Police Department has long collaborated with the State Police and federal agencies on gun crime and special cases.
“Crime has no boundaries,” Landers said. “We’re going to get an open dialogue with other departments and try to help each other where we can.”
The second point, “fund,” is about giving the department more technology. That would include drones, body cameras and more trained dogs. He said he also wants to bring the LRPD officers’ wage up to par with surrounding institutions and boost morale.
However, he said that “it’s not all about the money” in reference to the incentives the Scott administration developed for recruitment, which include a $10,000 sign-on bonus and up to $5,000 for moving to the city.
Scott talked of his crime reduction plans Tuesday alongside a panel of LRPD officers and city officials who are working toward the administration’s holistic approach to crime.
Landers said that boosting morale is something that he’s done all his life through owning car dealerships, and he will be able to do the same with the officers by having conversation and asking about their lives.
He also made it clear that he does not support the type of policing that was done in Mulberry, where officers beat a man. “That was totally uncalled for,” he said. “Those guys wouldn’t work after they did that in this city, if I was in [office]. I’m not for beating people. I’m just for making our city safe.”
Landers said that drones for first responders can bring back sky patrol that was lost when the LRPD discontinued its helicopter program in 2018. He also wants to increase the presence of police dogs in the department.
“Every shift needs a dog because a lot of times, a dog can defuse,” Landers said. “They can get in there so quickly instead of a man or woman walking in somebody’s house where a guy has a gun on somebody. I want to have a dog available in case it’s the right thing to do. Every circumstance is different.”
Finally, with “recruit,” Landers said his business expertise will help in finding the best people for the positions.
“I’ve had to recruit for my whole working career,” he said. “I’ll get the people. I’ve got people now ready to go into the LRPD training right now — several people. Day one, we’ll change the morale.”
His strategies beyond Scott’s already-attractive incentives included being supportive to the department and funding it properly. He didn’t provide additional details.
As crime is Landers’ main campaign pitch, he often says that the city is in trouble and he feels unsafe in Little Rock. However, he’s claimed that he will not hire use LRPD officers for security if he is elected as mayor.
“When I’m in office, if I feel like I need some security with me, I will call the police department and say, ‘Can you send a guy up, I’m going down here for an hour and a half, we’ll grab a bite of lunch, and he’ll be back to work.’ I will not have added security,” Landers said.
A mayoral forum will be held at 6401 Baseline Road in Southwest Little Rock Wednesday at 6 p.m.