NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Suburban Naperville residents will be voting for a new mayor next week, and the two major candidates have different takes on the issue of crime in the city.
If Naperville City Council member Benny White is elected, he would become the first person of color to be mayor of the increasingly diverse City.
White, who is African American, said diversity can present challenges, but also great opportunities. He said when people from different backgrounds all have a seat at the table, they produce better results.
Longtime city liquor commissioner and businessman Scott Wehrli agreed that diversity is a plus, but he said people of color tell him they want to be treated just like everyone else. He acknowledged that there can be differences of opinion on that.
The two leading candidates have different opinions on crime in the city.
A mailer for Wehrli touted his 32 years as a part-time park district police officer, and it said White isn't concerned about crime and has no experience. White, an Army veteran and son of a former homicide detective, takes offense.
"It's absolutely ridiculous for anyone to even say that," White said. "I have supported every initiative that our police officers have brought up."
White pointed out that Naperville's been judged as one of the safest cities in the U.S.
"We do have crime, still, and we definitely need to address it," he said.
Wehrli said residents tell him crime is a big concern. They point to social unrest more than two years ago and said it feels like two weeks ago to them.
Wehrli said crime is different now and he said more guns are being seized.
"We're seeing an inordinate amount of people who are engaging or fleeing a looting, which means they're driving away from traffic stops," Wehrli said.
Community activist Tiffany Stephens is also on the ballot for mayor in Naperville.
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