With Cleveland's 2021 mayoral election approaching, Justin Bibb and Kevin Kelley hit the debate stage on Monday night.

The City of Club of Cleveland and Ideastream hosted "Cleveland Mayoral Debate: Voters First" -- a 90-minute debate between Cleveland's final two mayoral candidates.

Once again, police reform and crime prevention was a huge theme of the debate as Kelley and Bibb discussed their opposing views on Issue 24. The proposed amendment to the city’s charter would shift oversight of the police department – including policy and discipline of officers - to a civilian-led board and commission.

Kelley is against it. Bibb backs it.

"Issue 24 would make our neighborhoods less safe," Kelley said during Monday's debate. Issue 24 would result in hundreds of officers leaving the job. We cannot be naive."

"Naive" was the same word that current Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson used for Bibb last week when asked what advice he would give his successor about dealing with homicides and gun violence in the city. "Don't be naive. It's just that simple. This is serious business. Being academic and theoretical about this does not work. And if you want to tie the hands of police, then good luck brother," Jackson said.

Bibb struck back at Kelley's characterization of him as naive during a discussion about the Cleveland Guardians lease deal at Progressive Field.

"If you're running for mayor of Cleveland, you should know how government works. At least a little bit," Kelley told Bibb.

"Senator Sherrod Brown believes I know how government works," Bibb shot back, referring to Brown's endorsement of him. He then added a roll call of other endorsements. "Reverend Otis Moss believes I know how government works. And the Plain Dealer and Crain's Cleveland believes I know how government works. The voters will decide come November 2nd."

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