Cantwell, McGavick Debate Solutions To Crime, Drugs In Yakima
2006-10-18
Source: KIMA CBS 29.com
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rss feedUnited States Senate candidates debated how to, among many issues, improve Yakima's crime rate during their second televised debate in Seattle Tuesday night.
A reporter from Spokane asked all three candidates participating in the debate how they planned to solve a number of problems in the Yakima Valley, ranging from illegal immigration to drug trafficking and the crimes that occur because of the illegal drug trade.
Republican candidate and former Safeco CEO Mike McGavick responded that stricter border regulations must put into place to discourage illegal immigrants from crossing the Mexican border into the United States. He added that local police departments need more resources to secure neighborhoods in the valley and around the state.
"We've got to beef up the law enforcement because the lack of enforcement on our border has placed the burden squarely on them," he said, "particularly in the area of methamphetamine, which is driving rural Washington crazy."
Democratic candidate Senator Maria Cantwell, who is an incumbent, touted her track record to counter McGavick's response.
"I've met with the local law enforcement in Yakima and talked to them about this drug and gang issue and that's what I've worked so hard on fighting the meth epidemic," Cantwell said, "but when you cut money from the local law enforcement, burn and block programs for our law enforcement to have the tools to fight methamphetamine, they are left with few resources.
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