In the mayor's race, the crime issue is No. 1

Upon reading the Post-Gazette's endorsement of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl ("For Mayor," Oct. 18), I was struck by how the editors in their critiquing of the mayor conveniently chose to ignore what many voters in Pittsburgh see as the No. 1 issue: crime. This from a newspaper that, in my opinion, never misses an opportunity to slant a crime story in order to paint certain neighborhoods and the residents who live there in a bad light.

In a city where many Democrats not only listen to conservative talk radio but also have bought into the GOP's uneducated base philosophy of ignoring crime in Pittsburgh because the people it affects the most don't matter in their eyes, I found the editors' blatant omission of the crime issue irresponsible. It might come as a surprise to the Post-Gazette, but there are citizens who not only care about police officers but also care about all the innocent citizens who have lost their lives in the last three years. They also care about the safety and rights of students who come to Pittsburgh to attend college, who, by the way, pour thousands of dollars into the local economy.

Many years ago New York City's very existence, its ability to attract and maintain new businesses and city population, was at risk due to crime. The difference was that New York's local media held officials accountable. The Post-Gazette appears to be more interested in ignoring Ravenstahl's weak point in order to influence voters. Voters should not ignore the crime issue come Nov. 3.

WILLIAM FISHER
North Side