[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 26 (Thursday, February 9, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H1542]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California [Ms. Roybal-Allard] is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I declare my strong opposition to 
H.R. 728.
  This Republican proposal effectively dismantles the highly successful 
COPS program and the innovative prevention programs that have been 
praised by law enforcement agencies throughout the country.
  The misguided block grant funding called for in H.R. 728 repeats the 
mistakes of history by returning to the ineffective use of block grants 
that were the subject of major abuse and scandal in our recent past.
  Let us not forget the shameful instances of taxpayer money used to 
buy private cars, airplanes, and even an armored tank under the former 
block grant program L.E.A.A.
  H.R. 728 opens the door once again for abuse, while doing nothing to 
guarantee enhanced public safety. It does not guarantee one single new 
police officer on our streets or the implementation of one additional 
prevention program.
  I am particularly concerned that under H.R. 728 communities will lose 
$2.5 billion that would have put more community police officers on the 
street and would have provided for the additional implementation of 
crucial prevention programs.
  It is significant that the National Association of Counties, whose 
members would receive the grants, opposes H.R. 728 and supports the 
President's 1994 crime bill with a balanced approach of funding for 
both law enforcement and prevention programs.
  Those who argue that prevention programs are useless fail to 
understand the complex causes of crime. They fail to understand that in 
communities across our Nation, criminal activity occurs primarily where 
opportunity and hope do not exist.
  Supporters of H.R. 728 argue that the prevention programs it repeals 
are useless fluff and a waste of public funds. They are dead wrong.
  In the 1980's communities in my district received Federal and State 
funds specifically for crime prevention efforts aimed at reducing heavy 
gang activity.
  Programs were initiated to provide at-risk youths with positive 
alternatives to gangs.
  For students, after-school programs including sports, study skill 
clinics, and mentoring were offered.
  For those out of school with no job prospects and clearly the most 
vulnerable to violent gang participation; programs were offered in 
basic education, job skills, and self esteem.
  These programs not only helped lower crime, but nearly eliminated 
gang activity in the east Los Angeles community.
  Ironically, when the gang activity dropped to such a low level the 
funds for prevention programs were misguidedly shifted to a different 
community.
  Almost instantaneously, gang violence increased dramatically and has 
been rising steadily ever since.
  Prevention programs work. They work because they give alternatives to 
individuals who have few options and they work because they give hope 
to individuals who have none.
  If we are to win our struggle against violence and crime in our 
country, we must have more police on our streets and effective programs 
that give positive alternatives to crime and provide individuals with 
hope and opportunity for a better life.
  The Republican leadership calls H.R. 728 the taking back our streets 
act. What this bill takes back, however, is not our streets, but our 
chance to create safe streets all across America.
  Police, parents, and public officials nationwide have proven that 
community policing and prevention programs are our best hope for 
eliminating crime in our country.
  To make this hope a reality, we must oppose H.R. 728.
  

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