While St. Paul’s next mayor will confront many new challenges and opportunities, he or she will need to make public safety the No. 1 priority of City Hall.

There are any number of considerations when it comes to keeping a city safe, yet I believe there are four areas that should be the priority of St. Paul’s next mayor.

The first is addressing the simmering anger and distrust that far too many of our citizens have with law enforcement.

Tensions between minority communities and their police departments will not go away by ignoring them.

St. Paul is well-served by a new police chief. He hasn’t just risen through the ranks — he has risen through the community — and understands that hands-on engagement is the only way to restore trust and strengthen the bond between communities and their police department.

Yet, while we address legitimate complaints and concerns citizens have, we cannot lose our respect for the work, dangers and sacrifice of men and women in law enforcement.

The people of St. Paul are blessed to have one of the most professional and respected police departments in the United States. That didn’t just happen.

That reputation has been earned by the men and women of the SPPD who have devoted their lives to protecting and preserving the safety and security of every neighborhood on behalf of every one of its citizens.

Respecting the police department and those who serve in it, and acknowledging the legitimate concerns and complaints citizens have about how law enforcement engages with them, are not mutually exclusive.

The second is understanding and addressing the causes of crime and social unrest in St. Paul.

As a former prosecutor, I understand that making a city safe doesn’t start with arresting criminals.

It begins by addressing the root causes that lead to crime and bad behavior.

A community lacking in opportunities for young people — economically, socially and culturally — is ripe for unrest. Related Articles Noah Smith: Trump’s trade war failed. Could Biden do better?

Faye Flam: ‘Follow the science’ isn’t a COVID-19 strategy

Cynthia M. Allen: News on COVID-19 is not all terrible, especially compared to warnings of 6 months ago

Bret Stephens: A rare Middle East triumph

Soucheray: New to politics, low on cash, no help from the party, John Stromenger makes a run nonetheless

Enhancing public safety in St. Paul must involve the business community as an active partner.

Engaging the St. Paul business community isn’t simply a matter of passing laws increasing the minimum wage or demanding business deliver benefits that their bottom line can’t support.

It is in the business community’s best interest to directly engage in making St. Paul a safe place for every citizen.

Take the increasing challenge of crime in downtown St. Paul.

Crime in the Central Business District isn’t just a “Downtown” issue any more than crime in our neighborhoods is just a “Neighborhood” issue.

Crime, regardless of where it is, impacts the lives of every citizen no matter who they are, how much their home is worth, how big their bank account or the color of their skin.

It also directly impacts the choices that businesses of every size make about where they will locate, expand or, for that matter, stay in business at all.

Another strategy must involve enhancing our public education system.

The dysfunction of the city’s public school leadership and its impact on the safety and security of students, teachers and other education professionals is unacceptable. If the city’s public school system fails, then, too, does the promise of a bright future for thousands of St. Paul children.

The fecklessness of the school administration when it comes to the safety of its teachers and the children within its buildings cannot be ignored by the next mayor as falling outside the boundaries of the role and responsibility of the city of St. Paul.

A debate about whether the current structure of the St. Paul School District is the best structure for the needs of St. Paul’s children must be part of any campaign for mayor.

Finally, a mayor needs to take a stand.

Being mayor is not a job for those unwilling or unable to stand up and be counted when it comes to public safety.

Criminal behavior cannot be condoned.

Riots that lead to violence against law enforcement or disrupt the lives of the community are not anybody’s right.

Ignoring panhandling has consequences. Being timid in confronting inappropriate behavior and conduct by young people isn’t a stand for racial equality and tolerance.

Keeping quiet on issues ranging from the composition of the Police-Civilian Review Commission or use-of-force rules for law enforcement are not the qualities of leadership St. Paul needs in its mayor.

St. Paul remains one of the truly great American cities. That greatness begins and ends with our neighborhoods and the people who live and work in them.

Protecting and preserving the investment of those who work hard every day to achieve the American Dream has been, and remains, the first priority of government and the No. 1 job of St. Paul’s next mayor.

Norm Coleman is a former mayor of St. Paul and a 39-year resident and taxpayer.