Standing in Niagara Square outside Buffalo City Hall, Buffalo mayoral candidate Sen. Sean Ryan said crime prevention is his No. 1 priority, which means putting more officers on patrol and giving them the resources they need. 

"Everyone deserves to feel safe walking around their neighborhood, no matter where they live in the city," Ryan said.

Ryan outlined a six-point plan designed to curb violence by setting goals, demanding accountability and transparency, investing in technology, supporting safe communities to stop gun violence, sharing information and making streets safer for pedestrians.

"We're going to make sure every resident knows that city leadership is focused on preventing crime, solving crimes and holding criminals accountable," Ryan said.

Ryan also has the backing of community leaders working toward the same goal.

"I don't care how much law enforcement you have. If the community is not cooperating with law enforcement, then guess what, crimes do not get solved," Pastor James Giles, president and CEO, Back to Basic Outreach Ministries, said.

At a separate event, Acting Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon echoed public safety as his priority, complete with newly assigned walking patrols.

"If our kids aren't safe in schools, you can't educate them," Scanlon said. "If people aren't comfortable or safe walking to the store or to the local restaurant, they're not going to do it."