Crime a Big Issue for Sunnyside Voters

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Story Published: Nov 4, 2009 at 6:54 PM PDT

By Ryan Simms

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SUNNYSIDE -- Ballots are still being counted, but even before election day, one issue in Sunnyside caught everyone's attention.

Everyday at lunchtime, you can find Dan Phillips reading the paper inside one of Sunnyside's most popular restaurants. One day after local elections, he has his own ideas about the town's city council members.

"Maybe there were things that got swept under the rug," he tells Action News reporter Ryan Simms.

For Phillips, those things include tackling crime. Several months ago, his house was robbed, and he wants the city council to take a tougher stance against crime.

Phillips isn't the only person in Sunnyside who feels combating crime should be a top priority.

Josh Roe is head of the local firefighters union and thinks the city council should have done more to protect the local police during this year's round of budget cuts.

"(Police) help us, and we help them. We go hand in hand, so public safety is a big issue," says Roe.

At city hall, officials insist clamping down on crime is one of their top priorities. A recent proposal would add three new police officers to patrol Sunnyside's streets.

Until then, crime is top concern for local residents, and it could lead to three new city council members.

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