[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 82 (Thursday, June 12, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1196-E1197]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 1997

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report two good news 
stores related to the quality of life in my district in southern 
California. The first, relates to statistics compiled by the U.S. 
Department of Justice which concludes that Ventura County, CA is one of 
the safest areas to live in the United States. According to the FBI, 
the county recorded its lowest crime rate in 23 years with a 14.5 
percent reduction in the number of crimes for each 1,000 people.
  The county Sheriff's department and the Ventura police department 
report that the 1996 crime rate was the lowest since the early 1970's. 
The Sheriff's Chief Deputy Bob Brooks recently stated that, ``not only 
has the rate decreased, but the number of crimes reported has also 
dropped--even as the population almost doubled in the past two 
decades.''
  Our second story involves my own hometown of Simi Valley. According 
to officials in the city of Simi Valley, its 1996 crime rate was low 
enough to again rank it as the safest city with a population of over 
100,000 in California and possibly the safest city of that size in the 
United States. This success story involving Simi Valley, which has 
consistently had one of the lowest crime rates in the Nation, is due in 
large part to the hard work of the members of the city council and the 
commitment and dedication of Police Chief Randy Adams and the members 
of his department.
  This welcome news was reported by the Nation's law enforcement 
agencies during the first 6 months of 1996 and released by the FBI in 
accordance with the Preliminary Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
  These statistics demonstrate the commendable job the Ventura County 
and Simi Valley law enforcement officers are doing to protect our 
community and its citizens. Murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated 
assault have no place in a civilized society and will not be tolerated, 
especially in Ventura County and its municipalities. The efforts of our 
uniformed men and women and concerned members of our community have 
once again shown that we can be safe and secure in our homes and 
neighborhoods.
  While the statistics are promising, we must continue to work to 
prevent crime, punish habitual offenders, and ensure that victims 
receive adequate restitution. There is still much to do to maintain 
this trend of decreasing crime rates. However, this report demonstrates 
that capable police officers, tough sentencing, positive outreach 
programs, and people who care have made a tremendous difference and 
will continue to be effective in the future.

[[Page E1197]]

  The Ventura County and Simi Valley experiences serve as nationwide 
models of competent law enforcement and a committed citizenry. I 
applaud those individuals who personally risk their lives to provide us 
with a safe community and congratulate them on a job well done.

                          ____________________