QUINCY - Quincy Mayor Jim Hemberry plans to present a plan for what the council and mayor can do to help curb crime in the city.

Hemberry responded to Tom Parrish's comments during a previous city council meeting, saying the resident felt like the council didn't respond when he brought up his concerns. 

Parrish asked what the city planned to do about crime in the city, citing drive-bys, gun fire and thefts in the past few months.

"Tom and I spoke a couple days ago, and it was interesting because after Tom spoke he was a little bit concerned that it seemed as though ... we didn't see the issues as important as he did," Hemberry said. "I certainly don't want anyone to believe that that's the case."

The mayor said he views public comment as a chance for citizens to speak to the council. He doesn't want councilmembers or staff to reply during the period.

"It's not meant to be a discussion. It's not getting into a big back and forth situation, and I'm concerned that a lot of times that if that happens things are said that shouldn't be said, it becomes confrontational," he said. "I think in this particular situation, I probably should have spoken up and I apologize for the fact that I didn't."

Hemberry said dealing with crime problems is one of the city's top priorities. 

"I've got some ideas from Mr. Parrish. I've got some ideas from (Councilmember) Scott (Lybbert), some that I've been writing down, and what I would like to do at our next council meeting is bring back a plan that I think the city council and I can work on," he said. "I'm not talking about things that have to do with police. I'm talking about things we can do as elected officials to deal with the issues that have been going on in our community."

Hemberry said he wanted to make sure the plan is productive and well-thought out, and the city should not tolerate people going beyond acceptable behavior.

"It's weighed heavy on my mind and my heart for a couple of weeks now," he said. 

Lybbert echoed Hemberry, apologizing to Parrish, saying the council tries to keep the meetings calm.

The next city council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on May 17 at Quincy City Hall, located at 104 B Street SW. 

"Being able to see the things we have been doing, sometimes you kind of get in the defensive mode," he said. "I know there's a lot we want to do."