LAFAYETTE — Monday night was a busy night for both West Lafayette and Lafayette mayors.
Each presented their state of the city addresses to their respective city council.
Both mayors said their cities are financially sound, but that was about the only similarity between the two speeches.
Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski focused on crime statistics, while West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis encouraged his residents to continue to stand up to hate.
Lafayette
Mayor Tony Roswarski focused on crime. Drug-related arrests increased from 786 to 1,506 — a 92 percent increase.
"This exemplifies how drug possession and distribution are the leading cause of criminal activity in Lafayette, and how law enforcement is actively addressing an issue that affects us all," he said.
Overall crime dropped about 11 percent for 2017.
In five years, the police department budget increased by $4 million.
"When we say public safety is our No. 1 priority, we meant it, and our resource allocation shows it," Roswarski said. "No number of police officers can stop all crime. Many influences are social and must be addressed by multiple segments of the community."