In light of a recent spate of violence in Southwest Berkeley, including last week's double homicide, voters say the District 2 Berkeley City Council candidates' plans for combating crime will be a key issue in November.

Residents aired their concerns at a crowded community meeting Monday night that was a response to the killings last week. Attendees said they were interested to hear what the candidates-incumbent Darryl Moore and challenger Jon Crowder-will do to change the situation.

"Crime and safety are very important to us because crime doesn't stay in one area-it moves around," said resident Lula Greene.

Moore said he hopes to decrease crime by increasing police presence and strengthening neighborhood watch groups.

"One of the things that came out in the meeting was to get officers on bikes to get them into the community," he said. "We also need to enhance community policing. We have to get more neighbors involved in neighborhood watch groups and constantly monitor the situation."

Edith Monk-Hallberg, assistant manager for the Crowder campaign, said Crowder hopes to work to make police more accessible to residents. She said Crowder hopes the attitudes of police can change.

"Asking the community rather than telling the community and seeing the presence of the public not as an occupying force but as a community force- that's key," Monk-Hallberg said.

Crowder was not available for comment.

Many residents of the district said their voices have been underrepresented on the council for years.

"We do get e-mails, but (communication is) not spectacular," said resident Lucina Pearson. "I don't think we've had an advocate in our last two council members."

Greene, who supports Moore, said the city has done "about a 50-50" job of meeting the district's needs.

"It's just the timeliness-it takes so long to get things done because everybody's competing for the same things," she said. "Nobody's perfect, but (Moore's) been as good as we have had."

Monk-Hallberg said Crowder thinks increasing transparency will allow him to better represent the district.

"We need open democracy, making things accessible and finding out from the people what they want and trying to get that," she said. "These are hard times, but there's still a basic idea of taking care of the people."

Moore said he would create job training programs to help local youth find employment. He also said he would join Councilmember Max Anderson in meeting with local youth in the coming weeks to discuss issues affecting them.

"I'm looking forward to having a meeting with just our young people to talk about their needs and their concerns and how we can best serve them moving forward," Moore said.

Moore also said he would work to create a business improvement district below San Pablo Avenue where businesses could raise up to $600,000 for landscaping and additional policing through a special property tax.

"In talking to the businesses down there, they're very supportive because it will bring much-needed resources to area," he said.

Monk-Hallberg said the district needs better representation to ensure that it gets its fair share of services.

"(Crowder) would be an advocate for us," she said. "West Berkeley pays its share of taxes, but it's not getting the services that it needs proportionately."

Tags: CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS 2008, ELECTIONS 2008, LOCAL ELECTIONS 2008