(WSBT) How bad is crime in the city of South Bend? If you ask the candidates running for mayor, you'll likely get very different answers. A recent WSBT-South Bend Tribune poll found it's an issue. In fact, it was ranked as the third most important issue to voters — just being the economy and issues concerning quality of life.

Mayor Steve Luecke cites FBI crime statistics for the past 10 years which show crime in the city is down since he took office.

"In some areas it means a lot because crime has really decreased. In other areas, we still have challenges," he said.

Republican challenger Juan Manigault looks at the same crime statistics and sees something different. He says while the numbers may be down, South Bend still isn't where it needs to be.

"It's higher when you compare South Bend crime to the national averages," Manigault said.

WSBT looked at statistics for similar sized cities in Indiana. Evansville and Gary also have seen a decrease in overall crime in the past decade — although the drops have been bigger than South Bend's.

Gary's numbers don't include arson cases and the FBI cautions against using crime numbers to compare cities since other factors — such as the economy — have an impact on crime.

Manigault says non-violent crimes often go unreported and those crimes have a big impact on how safe people feel.

A recent WSBT-South Bend Tribune poll found 59 percent of people feel safe, but 41 percent don't or aren't sure. Both candidates say the key is getting police into problem areas.

Luecke says the city's gang unit and Neighborhood Enforcement Service Team have been combined to help that.

"It really doubles the officers who are looking at those specific neighborhood nuisance issues and focus on those in an important way," Luecke said.

Manigault says he'd like to re-establish a traffic division in the police department. He's introduced what he called a "Total Protection Policy" to fight crime if he's elected.

"A lot of crime can be deterred by simply having a traffic division that stops somebody for having a light out. You may find other situations that you've prevented," he said.

Manigault would also restructure the entire police department to put more officers on the streets.

The mayor says the department has shifted responsibilities to get 30 officers out of the office and into cars. He says right now only eight percent of the department's staff is involved in administration.

"At this point, it would be difficult to add officers. The budgetary issues that are coming down the road with the Circuit Breaker will make it hard," Luecke said.

In addition to getting officers on the streets, both men say the community plays a role in fighting crime. Luecke says the city has applied for grants to expand the Weed & Seed program in other neighborhoods.

That program tries to "weed out" negative and "seed in" positive influences.

But the city announced in July it will close several neighborhood centers by the end of the year. It plans to use that $300,000 a year to fight vacant and rundown homes.

Manigault says closing the centers is a bad idea.

"He's eliminated a whole round of programs that are developed for young people," he said. "Those are gone."

Manigault says when there are programs like that, they have a chance to keep kids out of gangs and away from crime.

The mayor's office says the kids who attended programs at the neighborhood centers can be incorporated into existing programs operated by private, nonprofit and church-based groups. Some of them receive city funding.

Part of Manigault's Total Protection Policy is to encourage more police officers to live in problem neighborhoods. The mayor says that plan is already in place and has had success.