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Short-term vacation rentals, homelessness, Measure C addressed during mayoral forum in La Jolla

More than 100 people crowded the mayoral forum to find out what six candidates feel about STVR's, homelessness, police and rentals.

San Diego's mayoral race is in its final stretch towards the March 3 primary.

Monday night ,the La Jolla Town Council hosted a mayoral candidate forum. Topics ranged from elderly homelessness, a hotel tax, privacy, police recruitment and short-term vacation rentals.

More than 100 people crowded the La Jolla Community Center, eager to hear how the candidates would address the homelessness crisis. 

“We must build more housing because many of the people are economically insecure and they need housing they can afford [and] they can live in. [Let's] stop the dysfunctional relationship between county and city,” said candidate Assemblymember Todd Gloria.

BEFORE YOU VOTE: The 2020 San Diego Mayoral candidate interviews

Some people asked about the controversial Smart Street Lights that the city installed on light poles to record video. 

When it comes to law enforcement, San Diego recently approved the Homebuyer-Down Payment Assistance Program for police to help with mortgages. A 2018 report showed the department was understaffed by 250 police officers.

“I would like to look in community. I would not just be recruiting from military. In D4 (District 4) we have actually no officers that live in our community that have been accepted in SDPD,” said candidate and activist, Tasha Williamson.

Taxes and measures will be on the ballot this year, including Measure C which would increase the hotel tax by 1.25 to 2.35%. There already is a 10.5% transient occupancy tax.

RELATED: Judge rules San Diego hotel tax ballot measure summary not misleading

“When it comes to Comic-Con and other conventions that we are turning away because we can’t double book because of size, [it's] very important. It’s a source of funding for our homeless issue in the city, said Councilmember and candidate Scott Sherman.

The race is non-partisan, so the top two candidates with the most votes face off in the general election.

“The difference between me and them [other candidates] is I can make a difference. I know how the wheels of government move and I know your anger. It’s your leadership,” said candidate Rich Riel.

Short-term vacation rentals have dominated coastal communities.

“My sons are my life. Three teenage young adults. I don’t want strangers in my suburban, safe neighborhood,” said Rancho Penasquitos resident and candidate, Gita Applebaum Singh.

Councilmember Barbara Bry supported strict regulations which the council passed, but it was later overturned after enough signatures were submitted to put it on the ballot.

RELATED: San Diego group speaking out against vacation rentals

“Local government has failed you. They have not enforced existing law that says they are illegal in residential neighborhoods and there are now 16,000 single family homes, which is about 3% of our housing stock,” said Bry.

Voters say they feel the candidates have a good pulse on what’s important for the next mayor in San Diego.

“The one thing that really stuck out to me was how they are going to make efforts towards homelessness. It is a problem here,” said Torrie Grimes.

Tuesday’s mayoral forum will be hosted by the Latino American Political Association. It’s at 7:15 p.m. at Andre’s restaurant in Morena.

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