    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [October 17, 1999]
    [Page 1808]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the 1998 Uniform Crime Report
    October 17, 1999

        The 1998 uniform crime report released by the FBI today shows that
    serious crime has continued to fall in every region of our Nation for
    the seventh straight year. The murder rate is at its lowest since 1967.
    The overall violent crime rate is down, and gun crimes, rapes,
    robberies, assaults, and juvenile crime have all dropped to their lowest
    levels in over a decade. This is good news for America's families, and
    it shows we can indeed turn the tide on crime.
        My administration's strategy of 100,000 more police, fewer guns in
    the hands of criminals, thanks to the Brady law, and more tools for
    communities to combat crime is working to make our streets safer and our
    communities stronger. But tragedies from Littleton to Los Angeles show
    that we must do more to protect our communities from gun violence. Even
    as crime falls, we must not let down our guard. That is why we must
    redouble our efforts to build on what works by fully funding our COPS
    program to put more police on the street and by passing commonsense gun
    legislation to keep guns out of the wrong hands. Together we can make
    America the safest big nation in the world.

    Note: This statement was embargoed for release until 6 p.m., October 17.