[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 48 (Thursday, April 28, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 28, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     MONROVIA ANTICRIME RESOLUTION

                                 ______


                           HON. DAVID DREIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 28, 1994

  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, this week I met with Chiefs of Police Brad 
Hoover, Robert Moody, and Joe Santoro from Whittier, Claremont, and 
Monrovia, CA, to discuss the increasing fear of violent crime in our 
communities. The tragic fact is that the United States today is facing 
the worst rate of violent crime of any developed country.
  Congress has now taken the first step in combating violent crime. 
Both the House and Senate have passed their respective crime 
initiatives, and a conference will be called to hammer out the 
differences. I would like to bring to light six critical points that 
should be considered by the conference committee, as resolved by the 
city council of the city of Monrovia.
  First, anticrime funds given to cities and towns should be in the 
form of block grants with a minimum number of Federal restrictions and 
mandates. Local communities are in the best position to determine how 
to allocate additional funding. Second, many of the cities in the 
greatest need of additional anticrime funding are unable to meet 
stringent matching requirements, and should not be pressured by the 
Federal Government to overextend their scarce resources. Third, 
eligibility for Federal grants should be granted to small cities and 
towns as well as large metropolitan areas. Most American towns have 
fewer than 40,000 inhabitants, with severely limited local resources to 
combat their growing violent crime problems.
  Fourth, the Federal Government must recognize the cost to the States 
of incarcerating undocumented aliens, and reimburse the States for 
these amounts. Cities in border States have been particularly hard hit 
in recent years by a poorly implemented Federal immigration policy. 
Local communities should not have to pick up the tab for the Federal 
Government's failure to enforce our immigration laws.
  Fifth, while I am opposed to any new taxes on law abiding citizens, I 
believe that revenues from licensing fees on firearms, ammunition, or 
firearms dealers should be dedicated solely to anticrime programs and 
not used to fund new bureaucratic federalized social programs.
  Sixth, an effective anticrime strategy must include measures to 
prevent crime as well as strengthen our law enforcement capabilities. 
Congress must balance increased criminal deterrence enforcement with 
the creation of more economic opportunities and a strengthening of our 
communities.
  I am submitting for the Record the following resolution adopted by 
the Monrovia City Council.

  Resolution No. 94-19--Resolution of the City Council of the City of 
            Monrovia to Stop Crime and Violence in Our City

       Whereas, America's communities and families are scarred by 
     increasing numbers of violent crimes; and
       Whereas, the level of violence associated with criminal 
     acts is increasing; and
       Whereas, no community or family is untouched by incidents 
     of crime or the fear of being victimized by crime; and
       Whereas, reductions in crime and in the fear of crime will 
     require enactment of meaningful national anti-crime 
     legislation as well as work by local communities and state 
     governments to develop and implement long-term solutions that 
     deal with both the causes and effects of crime; and
       Whereas, implementing short and long-term solutions to stop 
     crime and violence in our cities and towns is the National 
     League of Cities' top priority in 1994; and
       Whereas, the critical nature of the problem demands an end 
     to Congressional gridlock; and
       Whereas, achieving an early partnership to reduce crime 
     will require immediate action by the Congress.
       Now, therefore, be it resolved that the City of Monrovia 
     urgently calls upon the Congress to enact anti-crime 
     legislation immediately so that the resources and programs 
     which such legislation will provide can be utilized on a 
     timely basis to deal with this critical problem now.
       Be it further resolved that such anti-crime legislation 
     should include:
       A balanced approach that includes both enforcement and 
     prevention programs.
       Direct block grant anti-crime funds to cities and towns 
     with maximum flexibility allowed in the use of those funds. 
     Let local communities decide the best way to increase officer 
     hours on the street through the use of overtime and other 
     options, not necessary to hire new officers; because each new 
     officer means new equipment costs and at least a six month 
     delay to hire and train.
       Eliminate any condition that cities be required to match 
     grant dollars they receive.
       Make sure that solutions--and the flow of dollars--go to 
     help all cities, not just the largest cities in this country. 
     Most of the towns in America are small; less than 40,000 
     population. This legislation should help the smallest 
     communities, who tend to have the least resources, as well as 
     large metropolitan areas, address the problems of crime.
       Creation of a federal anti-crime trust fund financed by 
     dedicated revenues derived from licensing fees levied on 
     weapons, ammunition and weapons dealers.
       Require the federal government to reimburse states for the 
     cost of incarcerating criminals who are undocumented aliens 
     and encourage the federal government to pursue reimbursement 
     from the criminal's country of origin.
       Be it further resolved that the City of Monrovia 
     rededicates itself to crime prevention and suppression and 
     calls upon its citizens to assist in these efforts.

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