one question

U.S. Department of Justice

The Clinton Administration’s Law Enforcement Strategy:

The 21st Century Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act

Taking Back Our Neighborhoods One Block at a Time

May 1999

President Clinton, Vice President Gore and Attorney General Reno, working with state, local and tribal government officials and others, have launched an unprecedent- ed effort to help America’s communities fight crime. Over the course of the past six years, the Clinton Administration has worked to unite federal, state, tribal and local crime-control efforts, direct new resources into local efforts for crime fight- ing and crime prevention, and work hand- in-hand with law enforcement and local communities. The Clinton strategy recog- nizes that in order to truly control violent crime, decisions must be made in the com- munity— at the local level— and not in Washington D.C.

Six years into this community-oriented strategy, crime has dropped to its lowest level since 1968. Despite the dramatic decrease in crime in America, now is not the time to retreat. In order to sustain the downward trend of crime and violence, the Clinton Administration, with the 21st Century Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act, aims to continue the current comprehensive anti-crime approach by strengthening those programs that have succeeded, and by responding to serious threats such as violent gangs and juvenile crime, terrorism and international crime, and the continuing menace of gun violence. The Clinton strategy is working and the 21st Century Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act embodies the type of approach we need today to keep crime rates on a downward path.

Building on the Clinton Administration’s proven record of success: The 1994 Crime Law

From the outset of the Clinton Adminis- tration, our priority has been making America safer, one block at a time. Undeterred by more than six years of grid- lock, President Clinton worked diligently with a bi-partisan coalition of Congress to craft and pass the most comprehensive and effective anti-crime legislation in our nation’s history. He signed the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, into law on September 13, 1994. This Act formed the cornerstone of the Clinton anti-crime policy that has made American streets safer today than they have been in 30 years. President Clinton’s approach is tough, smart, and effective. Among the provisions contained in the 1994 Crime Act:

Funding for 100,000 new community police officers.

A ban on military style assault weapons and tough new penalties for criminals who use firearms in the commission of crimes;

Grants to state and local governments to build additional prison cells to ensure that violent offenders serve their full sen- tences, as well as a targeted “Three- Strikes and You’re-Out” provision to put career violent offenders out of business for good; and

1

21st Century Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act

•

•

•

The historic Violence Against Women Act which has helped to stop the plague of domestic violence and abuse.

The results of this legislation, coupled with other anti-crime initiatives such as the Brady Law and the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, is undeniable. Violent crime has dropped more than 20 percent and the murder rate has fallen to its lowest point since 1973. Likewise, rates of property crime are at a three decade low. According to the FBI, serious crimes have decreased in major cities in all population groups crime has dropped 17 percent in Atlanta, 13 percent in Los Angeles; and 15 percent in both Washington, D.C. and Boston. Perhaps more significantly, the murder rate has also declined; falling 22 percent in New York City, 28 percent in San Francisco, and 24 percent in Washington D.C.

Effective anti-crime policies, coupled with the largest anti-drug budgets ever, have resulted in diminishing drug use across America. From 1979 to 1996, the number of people over the age of twelve who regularly use drugs has plummeted by almost half. The number of cocaine users has fallen 70 percent. Further, recent drug use surveys indicate that use of crack cocaine and methamphetamine are also declining. The Clinton anti-crime strategy has made Americans safer than they have been in over 30 years.

Preparing for the Future: The 21st Century Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act

While crime in America continues to decrease, now is not the time to turn away

from the successful strategies that have led to the unprecedented drop in crime. Nor should we ignore new and emerging threats to our cities and towns. The 21st Century Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act recognizes the challenges ahead and offers a tough, smart and effective plan to contin- ue the Clinton Administration’s successful efforts to reduce crime in America into the next century. The following four areas form the cornerstones of the Clinton Administration’s anti-crime policy for the new millennium:

CONTINUE SUPPORT FOR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT: Our plan continues the unprecedented fed- eral support of state, county, local, and tribal law enforcement – including funding to ensure that law enforce- ment officials in rural areas receive federal assistance in their fight against crime. The legislation extends the highly successful COPS program and provides funding to ensure that law enforcement has access to the latest technology necessary to fight crime in the next century. The 21st Century Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act will build on the success of commu- nity policing with the creation of the Community Prosecutions Grant Program, to hire prosecutors across the nation who can respond to specific local crime needs with locally-based solu- tions.

BREAK THE DEADLY CYCLE OF DRUGS, GUNS and VIOLENCE: In addition to calling for increased penal- ties for certain drug-related offenses, the legislation proposes the “Zero Tolerance Drug Supervision Initiative”

2

•

•

•

to more than double the amount of existing federal funding available for drug testing and treatment programs for offenders at the state, local, and tribal levels. The President is commit- ted to combating the deadly and all too frequent use of guns in crime by limit- ing handgun purchases to one per month, strengthening the Brady Law by applying it to violent juveniles, establishing a 3-day cooling-off period under the Brady Act, and closing the “gun show loophole,” which results in the unregulated transfer of many guns used in criminal activity. We will also hold adults responsible when they recklessly allow children access to guns and conduct Brady background checks on explosives purchasers. The legisla- tion proposes a comprehensive reform of the federal juvenile justice system to permit more effective prosecution and punishment of the most violent and serious juvenile offenders and youth gangs. The President’s initiative also provides additional tools needed to help keep our children drug free into the next century.

COMBAT TERRORISM AND INTERNATIONAL CRIME: President Clinton’s plan will combat potentially catastrophic terrorist activi - ty by enhancing federal penalties for the illegal possession of biological agents or toxins. The proposal strengthens the air, land and maritime borders of the United States against criminal activity, and more effectively allows for investigation and prosecu- tion of criminals that target Americans overseas. The proposal also amends federal law to ensure that criminals

from around the world cannot evade capture and prosecution by seeking safe haven in the United States.

PROTECT AMERICANS AND SUP- PORT VICTIMS OF CRIME: The 21st Century Law Enforcement Act reauthorizes and extends the Violence Against Women Act, including new pro- tections for victims of trafficking. This proposal holds perpetrators of violence against children accountable and ensures that our criminal justice sys- tem does not re-victimize our kids. The legislation expands the scope of feder- ally funded victims services to include assistance for victims of non-federal crimes. The President’s approach also includes numerous provisions to pro- tect consumers, in areas such as tele- marketing fraud, health care fraud and abuse, pension fraud, as well as in the areas of environmental crimes and air- craft safety.

These four cornerstones of the 21st Century Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act form the foundation on which America can sustain the current decline in crime. This comprehensive anti-crime strategy will continue the success the Administration has made in recent years and make America safer in the next century.

Supporting Local Law Enforcement – The 21st Century Policing Initiative

Our crime control policy includes unprecedented support for state, county, local, and tribal law enforcement and public

3

•

•

safety. Since 1993, we have increased fed - eral support for state and local law enforce- ment by 294 percent. State and local gov- ernments have used this funding to strengthen their forces, buy new equipment, enhance crime fighting technology, build new prisons, and deploy new strategies to reduce crime. In order to sustain the dra- matic decreases in crime we have seen in

4

Community Policing: Authorizes $600 mil- lion in FY 2000 to continue existing COPS grant programs and fund an additional 30,000 to 50,000 new community police officers in high crime areas over the next five years.

Law Enforcement Technology: Authorizes $350 million in FY 2000 for a new Law Enforcement Technology Program to help state, tribal and local law enforcement tap into new technologies that will allow them to fight crime more effectively. The program has three parts:

$100 million for a Crime Analysis Program, including assistance with computerized crime mapping to identify crime “hot spots” that can be proactively addressed.

$125 million to improve communications by making state and local wireless communica- tions systems compatible with their federal counterparts, as well as with each other; building a nationwide network of criminal justice information; and deploying computer- ized systems that allow officers to enter data at the crime scene to help speed the response and investigation times of the police.

the past six years, we must continue to derive solutions from the state and local level with the assistance of the federal gov- ernment. Innovative programs and target- ed assistance to state and local govern- ments have been critical, and the 21st Century Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act continues this effective strategy.

$125 million to reduce the DNA sample back- log and to improve the general forensic sci- ences capabilities of state and local crime labs, as well as to improve the quality of criminal history, criminal justice and identi- fication records systems.

Community Prosecution: Authorizes $200 million in FY 2000 for a new Community Prosecutor grant program with 75 percent of the funding dedicated to the hiring of state and local prosecutors who will work in the commu- nity, taking back their neighborhoods one block at a time.

Commitment to Fighting Rural Crime: From the outset, we have been dedicated to assisting law enforcement in rural areas of this nation. Crime knows no geographic boundaries, and effective anti-crime policy must respond to the needs of people living in rural areas. In addition to specific rural allocations, we are proposing to extend the scope of rural anti- crime assistance to set aside a certain portion of law enforcement grant funds — up to ten percent — to those in under served and more remote rural areas. This provision will apply to all discretionary programs.

Supporting Local Law Enforcement

•

•

•

Extension of the Community Policing Program into the 21st Century:

We propose an additional $600 million in federal funding to place more police on the streets of this nation to prevent and combat crime. Beginning in July 1993, with the signing of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, providing $150 million for the Police Hiring Supplemental pro- gram, which became the blueprint for COPS, President Clinton has made local law enforcement the foundation of his anti- crime initiatives. From the initial award of 250 grants for hiring police, the commit- ment to law enforcement has grown into the promise to fund 100,000 police on America’s streets. Today, 19,000 law enforcement agencies have now received awards which will increase our police force by 18 percent.

The COPS program has been a major success story in fighting crime. Community policing has redefined the relationship between law enforcement and the commu- nity. Now, officers participate in neighbor- hood meetings, work in schools, and devel- op invaluable relationships with all sectors of the community. In addition, the citizens have learned that they too, have a vital role to play in fighting crime and improving their community’s quality of life. This joint enterprise between law enforcement and the community is proving to be invaluable. The Clinton Administration is now respond- ing to the bipartisan praise and support of this program by providing funding for an additional 30,000 to 50,000 community police officers all across the nation.

Law Enforcement Technology: Giving Law Enforcement the Tools they need

We propose $350 million next year to develop and equip federal, state, county, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies with the latest, state-of-the-art technology available to fight crime.

Just as the explosion in technology has produced important new crime-fighting tools, it has also created new terrain for criminal conduct – on the Internet and with sophisticated hi-tech weapons. Our law enforcement strategy is prepared to deploy as many available tools as possible to keep American communities safe in the 21st Century – and to work with state and local law enforcement to fight crime every place it occurs from the street corner to cyber- space. At the same time, we seek to ensure that the use of this new technology properly safeguards the privacy of law-abiding citi- zens.

The 21st Century Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act authorizes funding to make critical improvements in radio tech- nologies so that federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement can communicate on the same frequencies. These advances will also speed the development and use of hand-held units to enter and receive useful criminal justice data electronically right at the crime scene. The Clinton proposal will provide resources to help law enforcement develop and access information networks to identify suspects, locate fugitives, track ille- gal gang activity, and respond to and solve crimes. Included in these technologies are

5

advances such as crime mapping and fore- casting, improved laboratory techniques, such as DNA analysis, and significant upgrades in criminal history records. In order to provide law enforcement with the tools they truly need, we must direct resources to preserve the safety of all law enforcement officers who risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe. The Clinton initiative also continues a vital, life-saving program to provide bulletproof vests to state, county, local and tribal gov - ernments for use by public safety officers.

Having kept the promise to commit sig- nificant federal resources to supporting law enforcement and funding 100,000 new com- munity police officers, we are now working to ensure that those officers have the tools they need to safely and effectively do their very important job.

Community Prosecutors and Community Prosecution: Local Solutions for Local Problems

The policies of the past six years have resulted in a stronger and more effective police force in communities across the nation. However, effective police efforts are only part of a comprehensive criminal jus- tice system. The 21st Century Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act now proposes to increase the number, and enhance the role of prosecutors in our com- munity crime fighting efforts. We propose to fund an additional 1,000 prosecutors in each of the next five years. These prosecu- tors will be engaged in community prosecu- tion programs in cities and towns all across America. Community prosecution programs allow

prosecutors to engage directly with resi- dents and community leaders to prioritize community anti-crime and prosecutorial needs. Community prosecutors will also coordinate with other prosecutors to fight crime in a comprehensive and strategic manner that best addresses local needs. Just as their counterparts in police depart- ments, community prosecutors will culti- vate relationships and trust in their com- munities, which aids the process through better witnesses, stronger evidence, and more convictions. Working together, citi- zens and community prosecutors will devel- op methods to help prevent, investigate and prosecute crime and reduce local residents’ fear of victimization.

Community prosecution strategies are effective. Prosecutors are recognizing the importance of fighting crime through stronger ties to the community. Today, community prosecution is being successful- ly practiced across the nation. In neighbor- hoods from Boston to Los Angeles and from Washington D.C. to Indianapolis, communi- ty prosecution is making a difference. The 21st Century Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act will allow even more American communities to reap the benefits of commu- nity prosecution programs.

Fighting Crime in Rural America

Creating a 10 percent set-aside for dis- cretionary criminal or juvenile justice grant programs for applicants in rural areas, i.e., defined areas as having a population of 25,000 or fewer, is one more effort to ensure that adequate law enforcement services are provided to rural America. Although crime rates nationwide are now at their lowest

6

level in over 25 years and data indicates that rural crime over the past several years has followed the same general downward trend as urban and suburban crime, rural crime remains a significant problem. In 1995, there were about 35 violent crimes— rapes, sexual assaults, robberies, and aggravated and simple assaults—per 1,000 rural residents. And rural residents experi- enced household burglaries at significantly higher rates than suburban residents.

Compounding the difficulties that law enforcement generally encounters in pre- venting, investigating and prosecuting crime, rural communities often face geo- graphic and other barriers, and often lack the law enforcement resources their urban neighbors take for granted. Rural law enforcement agencies often face shortages in funding, advanced equipment, and per- sonnel. Moreover, rural areas now face enormous problems, such as gangs and drug trafficking, that were all but unheard of only a decade ago. Over the past six years, we have provided federal support for rural public safety through programs such as VAWA and COPS. Creating a rural set aside that applies to all discretionary grant programs is another facet in the Clinton Administration’s effort to help people in all portions of this nation free themselves from the grip of crime.

Breaking the Cycle of Drugs, Guns and Violence

Between 1992 and 1996, there were 100 firearms murders in Toronto. Chicago, with a similar population had over 3,000. We must end the culture of violence. In order

to continue the declining crime rates, anti- crime policy must incorporate an effective and comprehensive approach to the preva- lence of illegal drugs and firearms in American society. President Clinton has proposed the largest anti-drug budgets in history and significant inroads have been made to take deadly firearms out of the hands of criminals and off our streets.

Zero Tolerance for Drugs: Testing, Treatment & Punishment

Drug use and crime are closely linked. From half to three-quarters of arrestees from 35 metro areas have drugs in their system when they are arrested. About half of those charged with violent crimes or income generating crimes like robbery, bur- glary, or theft tested positive for more than one drug. In 1997, a third of state prisoners and about one in five federal prisoners said they had committed the offenses that led to their incarceration while under the influ- ence of drugs. Nineteen percent of state inmates and 16 percent of federal inmates said they committed their current offense to obtain money to buy drugs.

Illegal drug use costs America more than $110 billion annually. This is the result of the human lives lost from overdoses, drug abuse-related diseases or accidents, the var- ious crimes committed by addicts to support their drug habits, and from resources expended to apprehend, sentence, treat and incarcerate drug users. Drug abuse con- tributes to spousal and child abuse, proper- ty and violent crime, the spread of AIDS, workplace and motor vehicle accidents, and absenteeism in the workforce.

7

8

Breaking the Cycle of Guns, Drugs and Violence

Zero Tolerance for Drugs: Authorizes over $215 million for FY 2000 for the “Zero Tolerance Drug Supervision Initiative” to more than double federal support for drug testing, intervention and treatment pro- grams at the state, local, and tribal levels. The program has three components:

$100 million to establish a new Testing and Intervention Program that will pro- vide discretionary grants to support com- prehensive programs for drug testing, treatment, and sanctions for prisoners, parolees, and probationers. Both juvenile and adult systems will be eligible for grants under this program.

$50 million for the Drug Courts Program. Drug Courts are a proven success. The threat of jail can break the cycle of drug abuse and crime by combining drug test- ing, treatment, and sanctions such as prison.

$65.1 million for the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program, which has shown consistent reductions in drug use and recidivism for offenders who complete treatment.

Drug Penalties: In addition to increasing federal penalties for a number of drug crimes that corrupt children, the President’s initia- tive creates broader authority to schedule substances under the Controlled Substances Act on an emergency basis in order to respond more quickly to a rapid increase in abuse and trafficking of a substance. The

legislation also increases penalties for traf- ficking in amphetamine, a substance closely related to methamphetamine, the production and abuse of which has become more serious in recent years, and further amends the fed- eral law to ensure adequate sentencing for crimes involving the lethal substance known as fentanyl.

Cracking Down on Illegal Firearms: The President’s Youth Gun Crime Enforcement Act limits handgun acquisitions to no more than one per month, strengthens the Brady Law by applying it to violent juvenile offend- ers, establishes a 3-day cooling off period under the Brady Act and closes the “gun show loophole,” which results in the unregu- lated transfer of many guns used in criminal activity. The President’s initiative also holds adults in certain circumstances responsible for child access to guns, raises the age of the youth handgun ban to 21, bars youth posses- sion of semi-automatic assault weapons, requires Brady background checks for pur- chasers of explosives, and cracks down on illegal gun traffickers.

Juvenile Justice Reform: We will strengthen efforts to keep drugs away from our children. We will reform federal juvenile prosecutions to facilitate the adult prosecu- tion of the most serious, violent gang and juvenile offenders. Our proposal will pro- vide greater protection for victims and wit- nesses involved in crimes committed by juve- niles, and provide funds for juvenile delin- quency prevention, intervention and gradu- ated sanctions programs.

•

•

•

The pervasiveness of drugs in criminal activity requires a comprehensive approach. The “Zero Tolerance Drug Supervision” pro- gram does just that by providing federal funding to jurisdictions that have a demon- strated commitment to furthering a system- wide strategy of universal drug testing for offenders, both juvenile and adult, com- bined with treatment and graduated sanc- tions for failure to comply.

The success of our “Drug Court Program” expands as additional funding is provided, so that even more communities can adopt this approach. It combines inten- sive supervision with incentives for success- ful completion of drug treatment and increasingly severe sanctions for noncompli- ance. Federal funds are also provided to allow state and local governments to expand, develop and implement residential substance abuse treatment programs, which have shown consistent reductions in drug use and recidivism for offenders who complete treatment. There is one simple message — use drugs, go to jail.

While testing and treatment are essen- tial elements in stopping the spread of illic- it drugs in our society, the Clinton Administration has recognized that serious criminal penalties are necessary to deal with this problem as well. We want increased penalties for serious drug crimes, such as trafficking in narcotics near a school or using minors to distribute drugs. Additionally, the President’s proposal allows for greater flexibility in the tempo- rary emergency scheduling of certain drugs that may be subject to a sudden surge in abuse. The President also proposes to increase the penalties for amphetamine manufacture and trafficking. Due to

increased law enforcement and regulatory activity, criminals who produce illegal methamphetamine are turning to the more widely available amphetamine precursor phenylpropanolamine. The President’s ini - tiative seeks to stop amphetamine manu- facturing and trafficking before it spreads any further.

We have consistently taken a broad- based approach to keeping drugs off our streets. Tough penalties are a part of this approach and the 21st Century Law Enforcement Act continues to send the mes- sage that those who try and profit from the deadly drug trade will be apprehended, prosecuted and punished.

Stopping the Deadly Flood of Guns on America’s Streets: Keeping Guns out of the Hands of Criminals and Away from Children.

Just as drugs play a significant role in criminal activity, guns in the hands of dan- gerous criminals contribute to much of the deadly violence seen on our streets. Over the past six years, the Clinton Administ- ration has fought for common sense mea- sures that have contributed significantly to the reduction in violent crime with fire- arms. Working effectively with state and local authorities, the Administration has vigorously enforced firearms laws and helped bring about a steady increase in the number of firearm offenders being prosecut- ed and going to jail. We have also support- ed efforts to keep guns out of the hands of violent criminals and young people in the first place – supporting the Brady Law, the Assault Weapons Ban, and the Youth Crime

9

Gun Interdiction Initiative, which allows law enforcement to detect illegal trafficking in guns. The violent crime rate is at its lowest point in three decades, and programs enacted by the Clinton Administration are working, but more must be done to break the deadly grip that guns have on America. The President’s Youth Gun Crime Enforcement Act takes the necessary steps to strengthen America’s firearms and explo- sives laws and reduce violent crime with guns even more.

The unprecedented proliferation of dead- ly firearms on the streets of this nation has continued unabated for decades. President Clinton is striking at the heart of those who purchase guns in bulk and divert them to criminals on the street. The President’s strategy cracks down on gun trafficking by limiting handgun acquisitions by any one individual to no more than one per month. Gunrunners circumvent Brady background checks by employing “straw purchasers” to buy their guns in bulk. These guns are in turn dispersed onto the streets with deadly consequences. The Clinton initiative will implement a national system to limit the catastrophic flood of guns onto American streets.

Over the continuing efforts of the gun lobby to undermine it, the Brady Law con- tinues to work effectively to save lives, at minimal inconvenience to law-abiding gun owners. Since it was passed in 1994, the Brady Law has prevented over a quarter million felons, fugitives, and stalkers from buying handguns. In the fall of 1998, the Brady Law’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) took effect, allowing law enforcement to conduct instant checks on prospective purchasers of

all guns. In the short time it has been in operation, NICS has processed more than 3.7 million background checks and halted at least an estimated 54,000 guns from falling into the wrong hands. President Clinton will build on the success of the Brady Law in a number of ways. First, the President seeks legislation to close the “gun show loop- hole” on Brady background checks. In 1998 alone, there were more than 4,000 gun shows held throughout the country as well as flea markets and other events at which guns could be traded anonymously. An esti- mated 25-50 percent of the sellers at such gun shows are unlicensed, and the guns sold by the unlicenced sellers are not subject to background checks. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) survey of 314 gun show investiga- tions, 46 percent involved the purchase or sale of firearms by felons, and 34 percent involved the sale of firearms later used in serious crimes, including homicides. The “gun show loophole” is a deadly one that must be closed and our plan therefore pro- poses Brady background checks on all firearms transferred at gun shows.

We further proposes strengthening the protections of the Brady Law by applying it to violent juvenile offenders. Although vio- lent youth convicted of felonies in adult courts are barred from owning firearms as adults, the same is not true for young people adjudicated delinquent for such acts in juve- nile court, even for the most serious offens- es, like murder. Juveniles who commit seri- ous drug offenses or violent felonies should be prevented from obtaining firearms. The President’s legislation would permanently ban all violent juveniles from buying guns, so that they could not purchase a gun after their 21st birthday.

10

The Brady Act should be strengthened by providing a mandatory waiting period which would provide a cooling-off period for handgun purchases and allow local law enforcement officers to check additional non-computerized records. Accordingly, the President’s strategy calls for a minimum 3- day waiting period for all handgun purchas- es and an additional two days for law enforcement officers to clarify criminal arrest records when they need the time.

Keeping guns out of the hands of juve- niles has been one of our top priorities. President Clinton fought for and signed leg- islation prohibiting the juvenile possession of handguns, requiring “zero-tolerance” for guns in schools, and establishing the Youth Crime Gun Interdiction Initiative (YCGII) to help identify and arrest adults who traf- fic guns to children. President Clinton also recognizes the personal responsibility that accompanies gun ownership. Our initiative increases the number of communities par- ticipating in crime gun tracing programs, improves the ability of law enforcement to trace guns used in crimes, and amends the federal law to hold reckless adults responsi- ble for child access to guns. Child Access Prevention (CAP) laws promote gun safety and responsibility by holding adults respon- sible if they improperly allow children easy access to loaded firearms. The President’s legislation imposes felony penalties on adults who knowingly or recklessly allow a child to have access to a gun that is later used to cause death or serious injury.

We will also require Brady background checks for all purchasers of explosives. Although the law now prohibits certain peo- ple – including felons – from possessing explosives, there is no means for the seller

of explosives to check on the buyer. In other words, much like federal firearms laws prior to enactment of the Brady Law, explosives laws now operate on the “honor system.” It is time to extend the Brady Law’s protections to explosives and require Brady background checks before explosives are transferred.

Juvenile Justice Reform: Keeping Children Safe from Drugs, Targeting Dangerous Gangs and Violent Juveniles

We have committed to mounting a full- scale assault on serious and violent juvenile crime and the 21st Century Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act provides a balanced approach of tough but fair penalties that hold youth accountable; crime and drug prevention and intervention measures that keep kids on the right track and away from a life of crime. The fight against juvenile crime can be won, and our approach provides all of the tools for such success. The strategy envisioned in this proposed legislation includes four key ele- ments: 1) targeting gangs and violent juve- niles 2) keeping our children drug free 3) keeping our children on the right track and 4) supporting the nation’s juvenile justice system.

A generation ago, fewer than half of American cities reported gang activity. Now, the vast majority of all U.S. cities and even rural communities and Indian reser- vations are faced with gangs. In order to combat gangs and the destructive lifestyles they breed, it is necessary to step-up efforts to get violent juvenile offenders off the

11

streets, take guns out of the hands of our young people, and curb the drug trade. The 21st Century Law Enforcement Act addresses the serious gang problem by increasing maximum sentences for certain crimes typically committed by gang mem- bers under the RICO statute, as well as adding certain gang-related firearms offens- es as RICO predicates. Crimes such as traveling interstate to acquire a firearm with intent to commit a crime of violence or a drug trafficking offense or transferring a firearm with knowledge that it will be used to commit a crime of violence will now be subject to significantly enhanced penalties.

In addition to strengthening the federal response to illegal activity by juveniles, the 21st Century Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act enhances the penalties for numerous drug offenses that involve minors. Penalties for crimes such as using a minor to distribute drugs, distributing drugs to a minor and trafficking in illegal narcotics in or near schools and other pro- tected areas will be increased.

According to many police officers, inves- tigators and prosecutors, gang murders and violent crimes frequently go unpunished because witnesses are afraid to testify due to retaliation by gang members. Intimidation of victims and witnesses – who often become victims themselves – was a major problem for 51 percent of prosecutors in large jurisdictions and 43 percent in smaller jurisdictions, according to a recent study. We cannot allow the voice of justice to be silenced by threats of violence and intimidation, and tough laws are necessary to prevent witness intimidation and coer- cion. We propose to amend federal law to add a penalty of conspiracy to obstruction of

justice and witness tampering to provide better protection from gang violence to wit- nesses and informants who come forward. As juveniles engage in more violent acts of crime, the victims of these crimes deserve the right to be heard in the juvenile justice system. Victims in federal cases will have the right to have input on the disposition report prepared by the probation officer and appear before the judge prior to dispo- sition.

While cracking down on gangs, drugs and guns and targeting the most serious and violent juvenile offenders are essential parts of an effective juvenile justice strate- gy, they are only one side of the balanced approach necessary to continue the decline of juvenile crime in this country. In order to help most young people stay out of trouble in the first place, and to get those who get in trouble back on the right track, we propose significant federal grant pro- grams and initiatives to help states and communities support children and their families. In particular, the “At Risk Children Grant Program” is an expansion of a successful federal grant program that helps communities fund proven prevention efforts like mentoring, nursing home visita- tion, and truancy reduction.

Effectively addressing juvenile crime requires a multi-faceted approach that ensures swift, fair and certain punishment for the most serious and violent offenders, as well as graduated sanctions to help juve- niles who have minor contact with the juve- nile justice system from turning to a life of crime. Sound juvenile justice policy also requires significant resources for preven- tion and education programs so that chil- dren in America have a chance at the

12

strong, positive future they deserve. The 21st Century Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act offers a comprehensive solution for America.

Combating Terrorism and International Crime

International crime has increased in scale in the wake of globalization, becoming a complex and worldwide threat. International crime threatens the physical and financial security of all Americans while traveling or engaged in business either domestically or abroad. Such crimes include a wide range of illegal activities such as drug smuggling, money laundering, bribery, and intellectual property theft. International criminals can threaten national security by attacking the computer infrastructure of U.S. businesses or govern- ments, or more directly by obtaining weapons of mass destruction. Similarly, they ignore the sovereign borders of all nations until these borders can be utilized to escape prosecution.

The threat is real and growing and the failure to respond in a pro-active and com- prehensive way risks the safety of Americans both at home and abroad. The Clinton strategy envisions global coopera- tion in the fight against crime while realiz- ing that the federal government must do all it can to protect the citizens of this nation from terrorism or international criminals that may target Americans. We are propos- ing a comprehensive strategy to combat ter- rorism and international crime in the 21st Century.

13

Fighting International Crime and Terrorism

Biological Weapons: Significantly strengthens the biological weapons statute to prevent the terrorist misuse of these deadly toxins.

Strengthening America’s Borders Against Crime: Creates a new feder- al criminal penalty for the often dead- ly act of port-running, which has increasingly become an evasion strate- gy of contraband smugglers; and strengthens the ability of the Coast Guard to intercept drug smuggling vessels by providing additional sanc- tions against vessels that flee.

Protecting U.S. Nationals Abroad and Denying Safe Haven to International Criminals: Respond to the threats posed towards Americans overseas by enhancing the ability to investigate and prosecute organized crime groups who perpetrate criminal acts against U.S. nationals abroad, and the prosecution of murders and serious assaults against state and local officials who are participating in federally funded programs overseas. Also amends U.S. law to make it easi- er to exclude criminals from entering the United States.

Biological Weapons: Keeping a Lethal Threat Out of the Hands of Terrorists

Biological weapons pose a serious threat to the United States, particularly in the hands of terrorists. The destruction that could be wrought by deadly substances in the hands of a malicious person or group can be catastrophic. Current criminal law is inadequate in that it places the burden of proof on the United States to prove that a person possessing a biological agent or toxin without any apparent justification intended to use that agent or toxin “as a weapon.” Existing law relating to biological weapons is best suited for punishing bio-terrorists after they commit their crime. The 21st Century Law Enforcement Act contains lan- guage designed to facilitate the efforts of law enforcement to prevent bio-terrorism through early intervention in the sequence of events leading to such acts. In other words, the proposal will permit us to stop terrorists before they use deadly biological weapons against Americans.

The provision contains four primary ele- ments: It would be unlawful for any person to possess a harmful biological agent of a type or in a quantity inconsistent with a peaceful purpose; it would be unlawful for any person, with conscious disregard of an unreasonable risk to public health and safe- ty, to handle a biological agent in a manner that grossly deviates from accepted norms; it would require persons who possess select (particularly lethal) biological agents to report that possession unless it occurs in the course of their responsibilities on behalf of a registered laboratory facility; and cer- tain categories of persons, similar to the categories precluded from possessing a

firearm, would be barred from possessing select agents absent a waiver.

Strengthening The Air, Land And Sea Borders of The United States: Stopping Criminals at America’s Borders

Border crossings serve as choke-points where criminals are vulnerable to detection and capture. We maintain over 300 ports of entry and America’s land and sea bor- ders stretch a total of 9,600 miles. Virtually all cocaine and heroin and a majority of marijuana sold and consumed in the United States is produced abroad. Smuggling operations, increasingly run by organized crime, sneak tens of thousands of illegal immigrants into the nation each year. Each year, smuggling of drugs, illegal firearms, stolen cars and child pornography present formidable challenges, which the 21st Century Law Enforcement Act meets head-on.

Consistent with the International Crime Control Strategy released in 1998, we pro- pose specific criminal penalties for the crime of port-running – intentionally evad- ing inspections by passing through ports without stopping, putting law enforcement and civilians at grave risk – as well as enhancing existing criminal penalties for related activities. Penalties are also includ- ed for vessels that fail to “heave-to” when confronted by the Coast Guard.

Effective enforcement activity protects the integrity of U.S. borders, reduces smug- gling-related activities, and helps to deny international criminals resources they need for other illicit activities. In addition, effec-

14

tive law enforcement activities at the bor- ders serve to gather information about criminal enterprises abroad. This legisla- tion provides our law enforcement agencies responsible for protecting our borders with tools that will assist in their battle to pro- tect U.S. borders against criminal activity.

Protecting U.S. Nationals Abroad and Denying Safe Haven to International Criminals

American citizens are increasingly being targeted around the world. International criminals have attacked U.S. citizens abroad for political reasons, financial rea- sons, and more recently to further orga- nized crime. In addition, the United States is expanding its role to fight international crime by sending law enforcement person- nel, judges, and others to participate in fed- erally sponsored training and assistance programs. Because of the law enforcement role these officials are taking, they auto- matically become targets to international criminals. Stronger laws are necessary to provide U.S. law enforcement the authority to investigate and prosecute those who tar- get U.S. nationals and officials abroad.

We propose additional discretionary authority for investigations and prosecu- tions of organized crime groups who perpe- trate criminal acts against U.S. nationals abroad. Statutes now in effect are too nar- row and President Clinton supports the expansion of these laws to make them truly effective in targeting violent criminal acts committed against U.S. nationals by mem-

bers of organized criminal groups. The 21st Century Law Enforcement Act also pro- vides additional discretionary authority to investigate and prosecute murders and seri- ous assaults of state and local officials that occur abroad when the state and local offi- cials are involved in a federally sponsored training or assistance program. As the United States expands its efforts to fight international crime, the role of state and local officials in federally sponsored train- ing, and other forms of assistance programs is also increasing. Like United States mili- tary personnel, these officials may become targets of violent acts committed abroad and the Clinton Administration proposes language to allow for the investigation and prosecution of those who target these Americans.

Beyond crimes directed at Americans overseas, we must also be vigilant that America does not become a sanctuary for those same criminals who are attempting to flee apprehension and prosecution in other parts of the world. International criminals ignore the sovereign borders of nations until those same borders can be utilized to hinder detection and thwart an investiga- tion into their criminal activities. The 21st Century Law Enforcement Act provides additional laws to ensure that criminals cannot find safe haven behind our nation’s borders. It strengthens the ability of the United States to work in cooperation with foreign nations to investigate and appre- hend international criminals and updates domestic laws to ensure that international criminals cannot gain access or obtain safe haven within the United States.

15

Protecting American and Supporting Victims of Crime

Helping those Americans that are the tar- gets or victims of crime has been at the forefront of the Clinton Administration’s anti-crime policy for the past six years. From his steadfast support of the historic Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to his call for a constitutional amendment ensur- ing the rights of crime victims, President Clinton has stood shoulder to shoulder with people victimized by crime and worked to make certain their voices are heard in the criminal justice process. This commitment continues in the 21st Century Law Enforcement Act with the reauthorization of VAWA, proposed new protection for chil- dren exposed to violence, the expansion of federal victims’ assistance programs, and efforts to protect Americans from numerous types of fraud, from telemarketing fraud to health care fraud. The needs of victims will continue to be a pivotal element in the Clinton anti-crime strategy well into the new millennium.

Stopping Violence Against Women: Working to end Domestic Abuse and Violence

The Violence Against Women Act was enacted over four years ago as part of the 1994 Crime Law. VAWA reflected a compre- hensive understanding of the broad range of strategies needed to change this nation’s response to violence against women. With VAWA, for the first time, federal resources, federal law enforcement, and federal prose- cutors were sent – together – to take a place in the front lines of this often deadly

16

Protecting Crime Victims and the Public

Continuing the Fight Against Domestic Violence: Builds on the suc- cess of the historic Violence Against Women Act by reauthorizing federal grant programs to combat domestic abuse and violence. Extends much needed protections for the victims of trafficking as well as battered immi- grants.

Punishing Crimes Against Children and Protecting Child Victims: Holds perpetrators of violence against chil- dren accountable and ensures that our criminal justice system does not re-vic- timize our kids.

More Authority for Federal Victims’ Assistance: Expands the scope of per- missible federal assistance to victims of crime to include victims of non-federal crimes. Seeks to strengthen and improve the federal victim response.

Protecting Americans from Consumer Fraud: Adds significant new protections and penalties to combat a wide array of consumer fraud crime which often target the most vulnerable in our society. Efforts are directed at health care fraud and abuse, telemar- keting fraud, pension fraud, environ- mental crimes, and the burgeoning criminal activity in the area of counter- feit aircraft parts, which jeopardizes the safety of Americans in the sky.

struggle. There is no question VAWA is making a difference. The Department of Justice has awarded over half a billion dol- lars through the VAWA grant programs since 1994, directing critical resources to communities efforts to respond to violence against women. With its prosecution authority under VAWA, the Department has also brought over 100 federal indictments under VAWA and the Gun Control Act. Considering the narrow reach of these statutes, the number of indictments is sig- nificant. In the last four years, the Clinton Administration has helped change the cul- ture so that violence against women is no longer ignored or acceptable in our society. We have built the infrastructure to change this nation’s response to domestic violence. There is much more to do, however, and the 21st Century Law Enforcement Act aims to build on the great progress made since the enactment of VAWA in 1994.

The foundation underlying the success of the Violence Against Women Act is feder- al assistance in the form of grant programs, such as STOP (Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Formula Grants, a program designed to develop and strengthen law enforcement and prosecutorial strategies to combat vio- lent crimes against women and develop and enhance services for victims. The STOP Violence Against Indian Women Discretionary Grant program is designed to develop and strengthen tribal law enforce- ment and prosecutorial strategies to combat violent crime against Indian women. The Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies pro- gram is a discretionary grant program to encourage states, units of local government, and Indian tribal governments to treat domestic violence as a serious violation of

criminal law. The Rural Domestic Violence and Child Victimization Enforcement Discretionary Grant program is designed to help address the unique needs of rural com- munities in dealing with domestic violence and child abuse. These are but a few of the successful VAWA Grant programs that are funded by the federal government.

While progress has been made under the Violence Against Women Act, research has also shown that the problem had been unacknowledged for so long, information on violence against women was largely anecdo- tal, with a primary focus on high profile cases involving strangers. But additional research since 1994 has shown that domes- tic violence among intimates has been under-reported, and continues to be a seri- ous problem in America’s families. As the problem of domestic violence comes out of the shadows and into public debate, we see that the problem has not been solved. Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act programs, which have been proven effective by rigorous, independent evaluation, is essential to continuing the progress that has been made.

The Clinton proposal also contains much needed protection for the victims of illegal trafficking operations. Illegal “trafficking” networks typically involve the recruitment and transportation of persons within and across national borders for the purpose of forced or coerced labor under abominable conditions. Traffickers recruit their victims from vulnerable populations, such as women in economically depressed countries in search of work or homeless youth from urban areas in the United States. The vic- tims may be drawn by promises of good wages or, in the case of youth, manipulated

17

by a trafficker who establishes their depen- dency on him by supplying them with drugs. In some cases, traffickers create or alter identification documents that victims believe are valid and then confiscate them or victims’ valid documents when the vic- tims reach their destination. To control their victims, traffickers may confine them to their work site, isolate them from outside assistance, use violence, sexual assault, or threats, capitalize on their fears of arrest for illegally entering the country or for engaging in illegal activities such as prosti- tution, or require them to work indefinitely to pay off exorbitantly high debts ostensibly to cover their travel costs. Sweatshops, brothels, massage parlors, migrant farm labor, and domestic servitude are all com- mon settings in which trafficked victims are subjected to unlawfully exploitive labor con- ditions.

Often, the most significant legal barrier to prosecuting certain trafficking cases is the gap between existing slavery statutes, for which the standard of proof is very high, and the only available alternative, labor vio- lations, for which there are weak and rarely used criminal penalties. The required stan- dard of proof in slavery cases that defen- dants used force or threat of force or legal coercion to control their victims is often too high to capture the kind of coercion used in trafficking cases – isolation, manipulation of language barriers or disabilities, planting and capitalizing on fears of arrest and/or of deportation, and other forms of mental duress. Our bill allows effective prosecution of traffickers who subject their victims to serious labor violations under coercive con- ditions that do not satisfy the involuntary servitude standard but nonetheless warrant criminal prosecution at the federal level. However, to be truly effective, the provision

requires a tough penalty section as well. The President’s approach requires the U.S. Sentencing Commission to promulgate new guidelines for trafficking cases that are suf- ficiently severe to deter trafficking and to reflect adequately the heinous nature of this crime. The new trafficking guidelines would also provide enhancements for offenses involving a large number of vic- tims, a pattern of continued and flagrant violations, the use or threatened use of a dangerous weapon, or the death or bodily injury of a person or persons.

The 21st Century Law Enforcement Act also contains provisions that address a pressing problem confronting immigrant victims of domestic and family violence. Battered immigrants who are married to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents are eligible for lawful status based on their valid marriages. In far too many cases, however, abusive spouses refuse to file papers, purposefully keeping their victims undocumented in order threaten them with deportation and separation from their chil- dren if they ever report the abuse. The immigration laws are thus misused by per- petrators of domestic violence in an effort to trap battered women and children in vio- lent relationships. VAWA remedies this problem by enabling battered immigrant women and children to file their own peti- tions for lawful status, without having to rely on their abusers. VAWA also serves vital criminal justice goals by ensuring that victims of domestic violence crimes are able to come forward, report abuse, and cooper- ate in the prosecution of violent criminals. The proposed legislation would restore pre- viously weakened VAWA protections for battered immigrant women by reinstating authority for immigrant victims of domestic violence with approved VAWA petitions to

18

remain in United States while awaiting issuance of permanent resident status. Failure to restore this authority under- mines one of VAWA’s central premises: that no one should be forced to choose between abuse and deportation.

The proposed legislation contains addi- tional provisions that would ensure the effectiveness of VAWA in protecting immi- grant women and children from domestic violence. These provisions ensure that bat- tered immigrants do not lose their eligibili- ty for VAWA relief solely because their abuser loses his lawful resident status, which typically occurs after his conviction for crimes of domestic violence perpetrated against the victim who is seeking relief under VAWA. Other similar changes would protect battered immigrants from actions taken by their abusers to harm them, such as forcing them to commit criminal acts or hiding notice of immigration court hearings from them so that they cannot contest pro- ceedings to deport them. Taken together, these proposals will strengthen VAWA pro- tections for immigrant victims of domestic violence and improve our ability to investi- gate and prosecute crimes of domestic vio- lence.

The Children Exposed to Violence Initiative: Keeping Children Free From Violence and Abuse

It is an unfortunate reality in this coun- try that children are frequently victims or witnesses to crime, particularly violent crime. In 1996, data reported to HHS showed that 3 million children were report- ed as maltreated or abused. Approximately 33 percent of violent crime victims are chil-

dren under the age of 19. Youth age 12 to 19 are almost three times more likely than adults to experience violent crime and suf- fer injury as a result. Of the nation’s 22.3 million adolescents ages 12 to 17, approxi- mately 1.8 million have been victims of serious sexual assault, 3.9 million have been victims of serious physical assault, and almost 9 million have witnessed seri- ous violence. Much of this victimization goes unrecognized and unaddressed until the damage is beyond repair. Our plan seeks to remedy this injustice.

On December 29, 1998, President Clinton launched the Children Exposed to Violence Initiative a multi-part plan to pre- vent child victimization in the first instance, help protect children who are exposed to violence, and hold offenders more accountable for their actions. The 21st Century Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act will implement key elements of the Initiative. Our proposal will amend the federal murder statute to make child abuse a predicate for felony murder and to create first degree murder liability for deaths resulting from a pattern or practice of child abuse, for cases within federal jurisdiction. With this, liability for first degree murder can be established without proof of intent to kill and premeditation – elements that are often difficult to prove in child abuse cases. We also direct the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and if appropriate, amend its guidelines and poli- cy statements to enhance penalties for per- sons convicted of crimes of violence that are committed in the presence of children and expands the protections afforded child vic- tims and witnesses in the criminal justice system by 18 U.S.C. § 3509 to cover addi- tional children and offenses and to expand

19

privacy protections. We are committed to doing all we can to keep children in America safe and free from violence.

Victims Assistance: Resources to Ensure the Role of Victims in the Administration of Justice

Acknowledging and working to ensure the proper role of victims and their families in the criminal justice system is a hallmark of President Clinton and Attorney General Reno. Both have worked diligently to ensure that victims are not forgotten in the often cumbersome and impersonal inves- tigative and judicial process that follows criminal activity. President Clinton sup- ports passage of an amendment to the Constitution that protects the rights of vic- tims. Further, he has been committed to helping victims obtain the support and resources they need following acts of crime. When a crime is committed the victim and their families are left to deal with the phys- ical, emotional, and financial consequences, and the federal government has been responding through the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) since 1984. Generally, funds – derived from fines and penalties levied against criminals — are provided to states to support crime victim assistance and com- pensation programs.

Typically, this approach works well. However, under current law, OVC’s ability to assist is limited in cases where another federal agency is assisting persons who are not federal crime victims or when U.S. citi- zens are victimized abroad. In these types of cases most state compensation programs are unable to assist, and the 21st Century Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act

provide authority necessary to address that problem. This legislation will permit the OVC director assisting federal law enforce- ment agencies to provide service to victims of non-federal crimes and to provide finan- cial support to U.S. citizens who are victims of crime outside the country. This proposal calls for the establishment of a fellowship or internship within OVC, so that OVC can better utilize the expertise and experience of people in the victims community in pro- gram development, training and technical assistance, and providing services to the field. Finally, the 21st Century Law Enforcement Act amends the Crime Victims With Disabilities Awareness Act to allow more thorough and complete victim impact studies to ensure that better data is avail- able for Congress to use in making future decisions.

Fighting Consumer and Pension Fraud: Protecting Americans from Economic Crime

Frequently, media and public attention on crime focuses on the most violent or hor- rific acts of crime. However, the Clinton Administration, and thousands of Americans who have fallen victim to fraud scams, know that fighting crime requires us to look beyond violent and serious crime. Although the victimization caused by fraud schemes is typically financial, the conse- quences of these crimes are significant for the victims, both in terms of emotional well being as well as their financial livelihood. Accordingly, the Clinton Administration is proposing a comprehensive approach to attacking consumer fraud on many different fronts.

20

The 21st Century Law Enforcement Act builds on the promise the President made in 1993, when he made health care fraud one of his top priorities. Since then, crimi- nal prosecutions and convictions have increased by a dramatic 240 percent; dur- ing fiscal years 1997 and 1998 fines and restitution netted more than $1.2 billion for the Medicare Trust Fund; tax payers have been spared more than 35 billion dollars since 1993; and there currently exists the lowest reported rate of improper payments since 1996 – when comprehensive auditing was instituted by the government. Medicare and Medicaid programs provide vital medical assistance to some 39 million older and disabled Americans, and the 21st Century Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act will enhance efforts to prevent fraudulent and inappropriate claims, waste and overcharging by authorizing the Attorney General to fully prosecute and punish kickback offenses against Federal health care programs and ensure the effi- cient prosecution of health care fraud by eliminating the prohibition against the free exchange of information between criminal investigators and civil prosecutors in health care fraud cases. These provisions, and oth- ers, will continue to help win the battle against health care fraud.

Telemarketing scams are becoming more and more prevalent and stronger laws are needed to protect U.S. citizens from these scams. This legislation will provide author- ity for common carriers subject to the juris- diction of the Federal Communications Commission to block or terminate telephone service provided to entities engaging in telemarketing fraud upon the written request of the Department of Justice.

The 21st Century Law Enforcement Act also contains provisions to protect employee

pension, welfare, and health plans, as well as collective bargaining by employees, by enhancing federal law to include a new retirement fraud statute, amendments of existing crimes, and new procedural protec- tions for victims of white collar crimes where the proceeds of such crimes are for- feited to the United States. To make the message load and clear that pension fraud will not be tolerated, the maximum penalty of imprisonment for embezzlement and theft from privately funded employee pen- sion and welfare plans will be increased.

The Clinton Administration has encour- aged vigorous prosecution of environmental criminals. These efforts have put these criminals out of business and will deter oth- ers from making the same mistakes. The ultimate result is safer playgrounds for our children, cleaner forests for wildlife, and safe drinking water for us all. The 21st Century Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act Federal takes another step for- ward in the fight against environmental criminals. By strengthening laws, coordi- nating efforts with state and local partners, and keeping law enforcement properly trained so we can protect our environment and the public health. The 21st Century Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act will provides the tools necessary to keep environmental criminals at bay. The Clinton proposal strengthens criminal envi- ronmental enforcement by authorizing reimbursement to state and local partners in federal prosecutions, increasing punish- ment for certain criminal violations that directly or proximately cause serious bodily injury or death, and extending the statute of limitations for environmental crimes that are intentionally concealed. These efforts are another step in helping to ensure a clean, safe and liveable environment for future generations.

21

Finally, to respond to the growing indus- try in counterfeit aircraft parts, additional federal laws are needed to deter potential offenders from placing nonconforming, defective or counterfeit parts in the stream of commerce. The legislation will establish penalties commensurate with the serious- ness of the risk presented to the flying pub- lic by those engaging in fraudulent prac- tices.

While consumer crime does not get the attention of violent crime in America, it is detrimental – not only to the victims, but to society as a whole. For any anti-crime approach to be truly comprehensive, it must incorporate a broad-based effort to combat fraud in America. The 21st Century Law Enforcement Act, by attacking the most egregious forms of consumer fraud, contin- ues President Clinton’s commitment to do just that.

Conclusion: Taking the Next Step in the Fight Against Crime — The 21st Century Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act.

In 1993, President Clinton promised this nation an aggressive federal effort against crime in America. Now, six years later, the results are undeniable. He has met his commitment to the American people. Working with federal agencies to form part- nerships with hard working and dedicated people at the state, county, local and tribal level, he has helped drive crime rates to their lowest point in decades – declining for

six consecutive years. Beginning with the passage of the historic 1994 Crime Law, the Clinton Administration has developed new and effective approaches to fighting crime that have garnered bi-partisan support and praise. But there is still much to be done.

Our success forms the foundation from which we can continue to drive down crime rates in the next century and offer future generations an even safer place to live and work. The 21st Century Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act provides the blueprint that can make that happen:

Continues the unprecedented federal sup- port of state, county, local and tribal law enforcement,

Offers proven ways to continue to break the deadly cycle of drugs, guns and vio- lence,

Reaches beyond our borders to keep Americans safe from terrorism and inter- national crime, and

Continues programs to protect Americans from all crime and to give voice and sup- port to victims of crime.

It follows the same strategy that has reduced crime for the past six years, it is tough, smart and it will be effective. For the first time in decades, we are on the right track. However, we must take the next step. The 21st Century Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act provides the opportunity to continue our current success and keep America safe well into the next century.

22

•

•

•

•