Connecticut candidates debate crime after police ambush

WATERBURY, Conn. (AP) — Lower than per week after two Connecticut cops have been killed in an ambush, U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes referred to as for a nationwide ban on assault weapons, whereas her Republican challenger, George Logan, harassed that extra must be achieved to assist legislation enforcement.

The 2 are locked in a carefully watched race for the state’s fifth Congressional District that has attracted greater than $5 million in outdoors cash.

Showing of their first televised debate, the pair was requested a couple of taking pictures that left two officers lifeless in Bristol, about 20 minutes away from the place the talk was held. Hayes mentioned officers like her husband, a 25-year-veteran of the Waterbury Police Division, may be outgunned.

“His revolver carries 13 rounds. There’s no probability for a police officer towards somebody who can hearth 80 rounds in a matter of minutes,” Hayes mentioned. “There isn’t any purpose for these weapons of struggle to be in our communities.”

Noting that Connecticut already has an assault weapons ban, Logan criticized Hayes for voting in favor of what he referred to as an “anti-police invoice.” He was referring to the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021, which banned chokeholds and “certified immunity” for legislation enforcement whereas creating nationwide requirements for policing in a bid to bolster accountability. The invoice was later blocked within the Senate.

“I’m the one one on this stage that has been constant in supporting our legislation enforcement,” mentioned Logan, a former state senator. He referred to as Hayes “inconsistent at finest.”

Hayes, who touted her efforts to deliver dwelling hundreds of thousands in federal {dollars} for police grants and funding for group companies, defended the laws, saying it offered each assets and accountability.

“I feel everyone in our group can agree that each of these issues are essential,” she mentioned.

The taking pictures deaths in Bristol marked an particularly violent week for police throughout the U.S.

Regardless of state statistics that present general crime in Connecticut declined 3% between 2020 and 2021, Logan argued that the fifth Congressional District, which incorporates a lot of western and north-central Connecticut, is “much less secure.” He blamed the insurance policies of President Joe Biden and Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi, which he mentioned Hayes helps.

“Individuals really feel much less secure of their communities. That’s the truth of the matter,” he mentioned.

Hayes countered that she helped to move laws that included extra funding for native police departments with fewer than 125 officers, the overwhelming majority of departments within the sprawling fifth District. She additionally harassed that she has pushed to fund crime intervention and psychological well being applications.

“Crime is an issue, however we have now to handle it from all instructions. And I’ve been round lengthy sufficient to know,” she mentioned. “Over-policing is just not the one option to deal with the basis causes of crime.”