. >> my name is greg hodge, and i'd be honor to serve as your next mayor. >> reporter: greg hodge iseight candidates who showed up for debate hosted by the center for elders. current mayor libby schaaf is termed out. >> if you look at my record when ways on city council i always managed the part of the budget with the paramount of funding for seniors. >> our seniors are terrorized. >> reporter: public safety at the top of every candidate's list. >> accountability. we need to prioritize hiring more police officers. >> reporter: this debate comes one day after oakland is reeling from a 13-year-old shot and wound bid another juvenile. and after elderes are being attacked and killed. troubling times. >> i want to know plans and strategies versus something i can hear just from talking to my neighbor. >> reporter: candidates who are current city council members threw out strategies. >> i want to make sure that we continue to invest in our macro program. this will eliminate many calls. >> we have to demonstrate more than just a 30% solve rate for violent crimes. we have to double the solve

. >> my name is greg hodge. >> reporter: greg hodge is one of eight candidates for oakland mayor wholege. libby schaaf is termed out. >> if you look at my track record when i was on city council, part of the budget was permanent funding for seniors. >> our seniors are terrorized. absolutely afraid for their life in our city. >> reporter: public safety at the top of every candidate's list as the number one issue that needs attention. >> accountability is the number one pry priority for our budget. we need to prioritize hiring more police officers. >> reporter: this debate comes after oakland is reeling from a 13-year-old shot and wounded by another juvenile and days after elders in asian communities are being attacked and killed. troubling times for people in the audience looking for someone to lead the city. >> i want to hear plans and strategies versus something i can hear from talking to my neighbor. >> reporter: candidates who are current city councilmembers threw out strategies. >> i want to make sure we continue to invest in our macro programs, this is our mental health response