[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 55 (Wednesday, April 21, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S3981]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             VIOLENT CRIME

  Mr. BREAUX. Mr. President, I rise to make comments about the very 
unfortunate situation that occurred in Denver, CO, yesterday at 
Columbine High School. I know that our entire Nation mourns and grieves 
for the students and the teachers who lost their lives in the very 
tragic occurrence that happened just yesterday.
  I, and I know all of my colleagues, hope for a day when the young 
people, our Nation's children, will never again have to fear for their 
safety anywhere in this country--but especially in their own schools 
that they attend each day. I certainly want to join with others who 
have extended their sympathies and condolences to the families and 
friends of those children who lost their lives. We hope for the very 
best for their families as they deal with this very tragic situation. I 
express my desire that they know our prayers are with them and their 
families.
  As I, along with millions of Americans, watched on television 
yesterday the carrying out of something that used to be only in 
theatrical performances and in the movies--the tragic situation--I was 
drawn to the men and women of the Denver Police, Colorado law 
enforcement officials, members of the SWAT team, and the emergency 
medical personnel who were all working so diligently to spare people 
from suffering grave damages that were being inflicted on the victims 
in that community. They were doing everything they could to minimize 
the loss of life and human suffering and misery that was being brought 
about by the tragic actions of two apparently very disturbed and 
deranged young students who carried out these dastardly deeds.
  I was also reminded of all of the people in my home State of 
Louisiana who, at the same time, have been working every day, night, 
week, and month to try to do something about the abnormal crime rate 
that has affected my own State of Louisiana. I report to my colleagues 
and to the people of our State that there is, indeed, some good news. 
The good news is contained in a report I saw just yesterday while this 
tragic event was going on in Colorado. The good news was that violent 
crime in the city of New Orleans, for example, has fallen 21 percent 
just since the month of January. This is the 11th consecutive quarter 
in which total crime--and particularly violent crime--was down.
  This is not something that just happened. It happened because of the 
joint efforts of Mayor Marc Morial and the city council, along with the 
police force and, in particular, the superintendent of police in New 
Orleans, Superintendent Richard Pennington, and all the men and women 
of the New Orleans police force who have been working very diligently 
in a joint and cooperative effort to try to reach the success that now 
is becoming more and more apparent.
  Since Chief Pennington took over the New Orleans Police Department, 
violent crime has dropped 55 percent. Overall, crime has fallen 33 
percent. Murders are down 30 percent. Armed robberies, which numbered 
1,200 every quarter, are now down to the 390s. Assaults are down 15 
percent compared to the first quarter of 1998.
  The New Orleans story is truly a real success story in confronting 
violent crime and doing something about it and doing something that has 
been enormously successful. Chief Pennington has said this success is a 
result of ``saturating the streets with more officers and putting them 
in key places'' and improving the investigations of repeat offenders.
  I remember, for many months, we talked about President Clinton's 
proposal that the Congress adopted regarding community policing. This 
is a real example of the fact that community policing does in fact get 
the job done when you have people who believe in it. This 
administration can be justifiably proud of their proposal, and the 
States that implemented it and benefited from it can justifiably be 
pleased with the results. Chief Pennington has not only worked with 
Mayor Marc Morial and the city council to hire more people, he has been 
able to use the COPS program to hire 200 additional officers. New 
Orleans has received $8.6 million through this Federal program, dollars 
that have paid the salaries of extra and new police officers--
obviously, money that has been well spent. Also, Chief Pennington has 
installed Comstat, which uses block-by-block data to track crime and 
find so-called hot spots in the community.
  Using this data, the chief and his enforcement officials can move his 
offices from quiet areas to those areas that need more attention and 
need more police presence.
  Obviously, the bottom line is these strategies and community policing 
programs are working. We now see actual indications and statistics 
which say that New Orleans is today a much safer place than it used to 
be, so that the thousands and thousands of people who regularly visit 
our cities for the numerable festivals, activities and celebrations 
which are part of our Louisiana culture, and particularly part of the 
New Orleans culture, can come to our city knowing it is a much safer 
place than it used to be.
  I am particularly reminded of the next two weekends. We celebrate the 
jazz festival in New Orleans, and literally thousands of people from 
all over this country and literally from all over this world will be 
visiting our city. The good news is that they now know that when they 
visit these cities it is much safer than it has been in the past 
because of the actions of so many people who are dedicated, just as the 
people in Denver, to making their communities a safer place.
  While we remember the tragedies in one city today in our Nation, we 
can also take great pride in knowing that activities by dedicated 
people are making a difference and that things in most communities are 
getting better. New Orleans is one example of that.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  I note the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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