NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- The mayoral race in New Haven is heating up, with just over a month left.

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker (D) and challenger Steve Orosco (R) met on Tuesday for a debate, discussing topics such as crime, affordable housing and intervention by the federal government in the city.

Orosco said he intends to improve crime statistics in the city by fully staffing and funding the New Haven Police Department -- Mayor Elicker said his administration has increased funding for the department and many crime numbers are down.

"Everything is a band-aid, and we are not attacking the root of the problem,” Orosco said. “You can't have a city that is already violent in the first place [and] not have enough police officers to enforce."

Mayor Elicker discussed the city's ongoing

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