Public safety, including gun violence, is top of mind for most Torontonians and could influence their choice for mayor, according to a new opinion poll.Just shy of three-quarters of people said public safety will be important to their vote in the Oct. 22 civic election, according to the Forum Research survey of 2,144 randomly selected Torontonians, conducted for the Star between July 25 and July 30.Forty-two per cent said public safety will be very important to their vote, while one-fifth said that issue would not be important to their vote.While Torontonians are worried about increased gun violence this year, including several brazen shootings, they are split on which solution will make the city and its residents safest, according to the poll considered accurate to within 3 percentage points 19 times out 20.One-quarter of people cited tougher firearms restrictions. Some 19 per cent pointed to better mental health treatment, 17 per cent to more social programs for at-risk youth and 11 per cent cited improved collaboration between police and communities. Measures garnering less support included increased police presence throughout the city and more surveillance technology use. Only 5 per cent said the best solution is more money for police.Lorne Bozinoff, president of Forum Research, said a little more than halfway through the campaign that started May 1, no mayoral candidate seems to own the issue.“In the wake of much-publicized incidents in the city, public safety is top of mind for many Torontonians, and may influence the ballot of almost three-quarters of voters,” Bozinoff said. “But opinion on how to improve public safety is divided, with no consensus on a path forward. “Voters may gravitate toward a mayoral candidate that has a clear and cohesive plan toward keeping them safe, but thus far, no campaign has seized the issue. How the candidates approach public safety, whether it be proposals for gun control, social programs or somethin ...
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