Isn't one good way we can help is to make a priority to prosecute the criminal gangs in our cities that are connected to these cartels in Mexico?

I do not think the politicians have in any way distinguished themselves, ourselves, in this matter.

I do think it is something we can fix and we should fix. It is not impossible.

I think it would be addressed when you have consensus other than when other issues that seem more important to some people, take the front seat.

I think we ought to do the right thing for good public policy. It should be a bipartisan effort.

It is also unthinkable that we would allow a system to occur in which our American manufacturers are more liable and more subject to lawsuits than a foreign manufacturer.

Can any of the money be used for anything other than law enforcement officers? Can it be used, for example, for forensic scientists?

I am just telling you. I know my police departments, and everybody does, and you take any money you can get.

More police officers will not necessarily help anybody do a better job.

I think we have some potential to do some real good here.

I have become a very, very strong believer in task forces, unity of effort, breaking down walls and barriers between departments.

I guess I will just say, Mr. Perrelli, that you sort of are the point man for the administration.

Would you expect that every city and county in America would have the Federal Government fund those kinds of task forces?

Well, Mr. Chairman, my time has run, and we will have--there are some critics of the proposal, as you know.

strengthening the State and local juvenile system is an important thing for the country.

Do you feel like you are adequately doing that? Because when we spend $4 billion, we want to be sure it goes to the most effective programs to reduce crime and make our citizens safer.

Good police officers in any neighborhood will be welcomed and can actually play a role in improving that neighborhood's safety and financial strength.

I think you are right that crime does create poverty. It can result in an abandonment of whole neighborhoods.

Now, if an agency or a department applies--and why wouldn't they apply? Every good sheriff and police chief wants to do more in their community, and they have every incentive to try to get a free officer funded by the Federal Government.

I believe that punishment is an effective deterrent and also it incapacitates a very small number of people who are willing to kill, murder, rape, and rob.

I personally believe worked far better than even I thought, and I was supportive of it.

I just know that every department, every sizable department has people that specialize in sexual abuse of children.

Wouldn't you agree that a lot of departments have large numbers of police officers that are not being effectively utilized and that very effective strategies can help any Department improve its productivity?

I am uneasy that if we are not careful, we will not get the crime-fighting bang for our buck that we would like to get.

Even the dissent had a different standard.