NPA mayoral candidate Peter Ladner says he will ensure that every sidewalk in the city is made safe if his party continues to govern Vancouver city hall. (CBC)

Vancouver's ruling civic party is making crime reduction its top priority going into next month's municipal election.

The Non-Partisan Association unveiled its platform on Thursday, outlining a number of priorities aimed at improving people's livelihood in the city.

Coun. Peter Ladner, the party's mayoral candidate, said he will ensure that every sidewalk in the city is made safe if the NPA continues to govern city hall.

"People are concerned their kids and aging parents can't afford to live in Vancouver anymore, and people are tired of aggressive panhandling, break-ins, and violent crime," Ladner said.

The NPA supports putting more police on the streets and expanding the Downtown Ambassadors program in new parts of the city.

There are now 16 full-time ambassadors, who are trained to provide hospitality assistance and crime prevention services by patrolling both on foot and by bike from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on weekends.

Vision Vancouver mayoral candidate Gregor Robertson questions a change of priorities in the NPA platform. (CBC)

The Vancouver Police Department has hired 120 officers since 2005. Another 96 will be hired by next year.

Neil Boyd, a criminologist at Simon Fraser University, said more police walking the beat doesn't guarantee a reduction of criminal activity.

"I think it's not entirely appropriate to tell people the crime rate is going to be in any way dramatically affected by hiring a few more police officers or expanding a goodwill ambassador program," Boyd said.

Gregor Robertson, Vision Vancouver's candidate for mayor, questioned a change of priorities in the NPA platform.

"Two weeks ago, Peter Ladner agreed with me that the No. 1 priority in Vancouver is homelessness," Robertson said Thursday.

"Now he's changed his mind and it's all of a sudden crime. So I'm curious, has homelessness gotten better in two weeks, or has he just decided that this is the way the political wind is blowing?"

Vision Vancouver has not announced its platform for the Nov. 15 election.

Other issues of concerns outlined in the NPA platform include reducing homelessness, making Vancouver a more affordable city to live in, and protecting the environment.

The NPA is fielding 10 candidates to run for seats in council, seven in the park board, and eight in the school board.