SALT LAKE CITY -- Throwing back brewskis with Becker was the order of business Wednesday as Salt Lake City residents packed a small downtown bar to meet with the mayor.
It was their chance to ask him questions, and FOX 13 News' opportunity to ask him a few too.
Becker said he picked O'Shucks because of all the construction. He wants people to know businesses are still open in the areas of construction. We wanted to know his thoughts on some serious cases in his city that have recently made national news.
"When is this going to be over really?," asks Jesus Silva, the General Manager of O'Shucks in downtown.
He was hosting a meet and greet with the Salt Lake City Mayor.
"I'm a downtown guy. I live and work downtown, it's always nice to keep up on what's going on downtown," said Mike Homer.
Most people wanted to know about all the construction.
"These businesses that are right next to this huge construction project with a new office tower and a new theater have been suffering dramatically from the construction, and we wanted to look for a way to support them," Mayor Becker said.
Becker decided to throw back some beers with the locals in an effort to let them know he cares. Another topic weighing heavily on his mind were some recent tragedies. The first with Geist, a dog shot and killed by Salt Lake City police.
"The loss of that dog and the circumstances were just tragic," Becker said.
The Mayor said, while it was a loss for the owner and the community, he also supports his Police Chief, Chris Burbank.
"I know that the Chief of Police is reviewing their procedures, is reviewing circumstances so that if possibly we can do a better job of preventing a loss of a dog in the future, but our police have a tough job," Becker said.
That job has been marred by recent criticism regarding the officer involved shooting in South Salt Lake. Dillon Taylor was shot and killed at a 7-Eleven nearly two weeks ago. Several agencies, including the District Attorney’s Office, are investigating.
The cop who pulled the trigger from Salt Lake City Police is on paid leave. While his name isn't being released, it's his body camera that may hold the answers to what went wrong.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the review,” Becker said. “I know that our officers are trained, that use of force, deadly force, is a last resort and I'm looking forward to seeing the results of the investigation, I have a lot of confidence in Chief Burbank and in our police officer that they take protective measures.”
Mayor Becker said he hasn't seen that body camera footage but knows that the agencies investigating are reviewing it.
