    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [May 7, 2000]
    [Pages 861-862]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Report
    May 7, 2000

        Today the FBI released new 1999 statistics showing that crime is
    down for an unprecedented eighth year in a row, continuing the longest
    decline on record. The decline in crime has reached Americans living in
    communities of every size and in every region across the country. Data
    from the 1999 FBI Uniform Crime Report show that overall crime fell 7
    percent, with crime down in every category of offense. Violent crime
    dropped 7 percent, including an 8 percent drop in murder, and property
    crime fell an additional 7 percent. In 1999 there were over 8,000 fewer
    murders than in 1992.
        This good news confirms that our anticrime strategy--more police
    officers on the beat, fewer illegal guns and violent criminals on the
    street--is having a powerful impact. We know we can turn the tide on
    crime, because we have. But despite this success, we cannot let up on
    our efforts. Gunfire continues to claim the lives of nearly 12 children
    every day, and we need to work on every front to reduce gun violence.
    With Mother's Day approaching, I will continue to urge the Congress to
    put the interests of America's families over those of the gun lobby and
    pass commonsense gun safety measures to keep guns out of the wrong
    hands. Together,

    [[Page 862]]

    we can make America the safest big country on Earth.

    Note: This statement was made available by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on May 5 but was embargoed for release until 6:01 p.m. on May
    7. It was also made available on the White House Press Office Actuality
    Line.