    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [November 21, 1999]
    [Page 2138]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the 1999 Uniform Crime Report
    November 21, 1999

        The preliminary 1999 uniform crime report released by the FBI today
                shows that we are making enormous progress in our national
                strategy to fight crime. America continues to experience the
                longest continuous decline in crime on record. Overall crime
                fell another 10 percent in the first 6 months of this year
                as compared to the first half of 1998, twice as much as any
                other 6-month period over the last decade. We have the
                lowest crime rate in 25 years. We have the lowest homicide
                rate in over 31 years. In every region of our Nation,
                neighborhoods are safer now, and American families are more
                secure than they have been in a generation.

        But to keep crime rates down we must remain vigilant. Since I took
    office, my administration has focused on a simple but effective crime-
    fighting strategy: 100,000 more police officers and fewer guns in the
    hands of criminals. Today's report shows that our strategy is making a
    difference. That is why I am pleased that the budget agreement reached
    last week will extend our successful COPS initiative into the 21st
    century, helping put up to 50,000 more police officers on our streets,
    creating new community prosecutors, and providing more resources for
    crime-fighting technologies. Congress must now do its part to reduce gun
    violence and crime, by making the passage of commonsense gun laws the
    first order of business when it reconvenes.

    Note: This statement was made available by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on November 19 but was embargoed for release until 6 p.m.,
    November 21.