Winnipeg mayoralty hopeful Judy Wasylycia-Leis said Thursday that putting more police on the street won't solve long-term crime issues. (CBC)

Winnipeg mayoralty hopeful Judy Wasylycia-Leis is promising a $1-million boost to community resources as part of her crime-prevention platform.

The former NDP MP said Thursday the money would be spent on community services in areas of the city with the greatest need for youth-related programming.

The approach is in marked contrast to that of incumbent Sam Katz, who said Tuesday he would hire 58 new police officers as a crime-fighting measure.

However, Wasylycia-Leis said putting more police on the street isn't a long-term solution.

"If we don't have a crime prevention strategy, we're going to have to put more police in place," she said.

Wasylycia-Leis made the announcement at the Elmwood Community Resource Centre.

People living in the Elmwood area said they've lived with high crime rates for years and agreed with Wasylycia-Leis's approach. .

"Education is the main thing," said Brian Whidden. "If people are idle, if they're not educated, if they're not working, then they get into trouble," he said.

Wasylycia-Leis said more details about her crime-cutting strategy would be coming over the next few weeks.

In August she promised to expand an anonymous crime-reporting phone line similar to one in operation in Winnipeg's Point Douglas neighbourhood.

Winnipeggers head to the polls on Oct. 27.