SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — The University of Scranton hosted a debate with all four candidates running for Mayor of the City of Scranton.

All four candidates appearing on the ballot for Mayor of the City of Scranton were in attendance: independent Gene Barrett, republican nominee Trish Beynon, democratic nominee and current mayor Paige Cognetti and independent Rik Little.

The debate, moderated by three journalists, including FOX56’s Elizabeth Haikes, allowed candidates to speak to voters on how they plan to improve the city if elected.

The debate format allowed each moderator to ask the candidates two questions each. Each candidate was given two minutes to respond to each question, one 30-second rebuttal to another candidate for the entire debate and a closing statement.

The hour-long debate gave candidates a chance to lay out their plan for the Electric City, answering questions on a range of topics, including homelessness.

Moderator: “What is your plan to address homelessness in the city of Scranton?”

Barrett: “The homeless need to get a job. They need to work. Social services are there for them to provide for them, that’s true, but we can’t have people who choose to be homeless.”

Beynon: “We would see if we can help out with food, clothing and shelter and make sure the homeless know we have their backs and that we are there for them if they need us.”

Cognetti: “We have an unsheltered task force that meets quarterly. We’ve been meeting for years. Tackling that issue requires all the work of our nonprofits.”

Little: “People need to have a basic place to live.”

Another topic of the debate surrounded the crime rate in the city. Beynon and Barrett claimed the crime rate had risen since Cognetti took office, with Beynon citing the New York Post as her source.

Mayor Cognetti disagreed, citing the crime database as proof crime is not spiking in the city.

FOX56 investigated these claims, using data from the FBI, UCR/CDE, state UCR, NIBRS and the City Data database, finding overall and violent crime spiked in Scranton in 2020. Since then, violent and property crimes have been flat or decreasing through 2024.

The debate concluded with fiery closing statements from the candidates.