[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 83 (Monday, June 16, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S5702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. TORRICELLI:
  S. 911. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a 
credit against income tax to individuals who are active participants in 
neighborhood crime watch organizations which actively involve the 
community in the reduction of local crime; to the Committee on Finance.

            taking back our neighborhoods crime fighting act

  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Taking 
Back Our Neighborhoods Crime Fighting Act. This bill has already been 
introduced in the House by Representative Bob Filner, and I thank him 
for his efforts in crafting this innovative and exciting approach to 
neighborhood crime fighting.
  Mr. President, this is a very simple bill. Our legislation would 
provide a $50 tax credit to any American who actively participates in a 
Neighborhood Watch or other local crime fighting program. These local, 
citizen-run initiatives have proven extremely effective in reducing 
crime and restoring confidence in the safety of our local communities.
  Neighborhood Watch programs empower residents and bring neighbors 
together, creating a renewed sense of community, and common purpose. 
Working hand in hand with law enforcement, these groups are a vital 
part of the community policing which has been so successful in 
dramatically reducing crime over the last few years. It is no wonder 
that this tax credit proposal has received support from hundreds of 
public officials, including dozens of big city mayors, local sheriffs, 
police chiefs, and district attorneys.
  Mr. President, by providing this tax credit, we focus attention on 
the benefits of these local programs, and we reward those who already 
participate with a small token of appreciation. But more importantly, 
we also provide one more incentive to those who may have been reluctant 
to join a local group, or perhaps just didn't take the time to look 
into it. We hope that this additional incentive will create the final 
push needed to encourage everyone in our communities to join in the 
effort to stop crime and take back our streets.
  Even if people intend to go just a couple of times in order to 
qualify for the tax credit, I am certain that many of them will become 
active and lifelong participants once they are exposed to what 
Neighborhood Watch is all about.
  Mr. President, just a few months ago I traveled to a Newark townhouse 
and paid a visit to a courageous woman named Donna Cherry. Tired of the 
violence and the gunshots plaguing her neighborhood, Donna Cherry took 
matters into her own hands and formed a neighborhood watch organization 
to protect her community. Starting within her own townhouse complex, 
she and the group soon set their sights on surrounding areas. Members 
of the group patrol the streets, log and report suspicious activity, 
and plan youth conferences to educate local children about cooperation 
and making the right choices. By their actions--indeed simply by their 
visible presence on the streets of their community--these people 
undoubtedly deter crime.
  When I visited that neighborhood in March, I assured the group that 
the Federal Government would always stand behind efforts within 
communities to cooperate in the fight against crime--valiant efforts to 
save communities should not fail for lack of resources. We already 
provide indirect Federal funding for many of these groups, but funding 
is useless without the people to use it efficiently. Our bill will 
provide one more tool for community leaders like Donna Cherry to 
recruit new members and clean up our communities.
  Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
economical and exciting bill to encourage local crime fighting. Every 
step we take towards encouraging citizen action is a step toward the 
reduction of crime in our communities. Mr. President, I ask unanimous 
consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 911

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Taking Back Our 
     Neighborhoods Crime Fighting Act''.

     SEC. 2. CREDIT FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN 
                   NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME WATCH ORGANIZATIONS WHICH 
                   ACTIVELY INVOLVE THE COMMUNITY IN THE REDUCTION 
                   OF LOCAL CRIME.

       (a) In General.--Subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of 
     chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to 
     nonrefundable personal credits) is amended by inserting after 
     section 23 the following new section:

     ``SEC. 24. ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME WATCH 
                   ORGANIZATIONS WHICH ACTIVELY INVOLVE THE 
                   COMMUNITY IN THE REDUCTION OF LOCAL CRIME.

       ``(a) General Rule.--In the case of an individual who is an 
     active participant during the taxable year in a neighborhood 
     crime watch organization which actively involves the 
     community in the reduction of local crime, there shall be 
     allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter 
     for such taxable year the amount of $50.
       ``(b) Active Participant.--For purposes of subsection (a), 
     the term `active participant' means any individual who 
     attends during the taxable year at least 2 meetings of an 
     organization referred to in subsection (a) at which 
     instruction is given by a local law enforcement officer on 
     how individuals may best and lawfully--
       ``(1) protect themselves and their community against crime, 
     and
       ``(2) assist local law enforcement officials in preventing 
     crime.''
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for such 
     subpart A is amended by inserting after the item relating to 
     section 23 the following new item:

``Sec. 24 Active participants in neighborhood crime watch organizations 
              which actively involve the community in the reduction of 
              local crime.''

  (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply 
to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.
                                 ______