Lucille Roybal-Allard: “I declare my strong opposition to H.R. 728. This Republican proposal effectively dismantles the highly successful COPS…”

“I declare my strong opposition to H.R. 728. This Republican proposal effectively dismantles the highly successful COPS program and the innovative prevention programs that have been praised by law enforcement agencies throughout the country. The misguided block grant funding called for in H.R. 728 repeats the mistakes of history by returning to the ineffective use of block grants that were the subject of major abuse and scandal in our recent past. Let us not forget the shameful instances of taxpayer money used to buy private cars, airplanes, and even an armored tank under the former block grant program L.E.A.A. H.R. 728 opens the door once again for abuse, while doing nothing to guarantee enhanced public safety. It does not guarantee one single new police officer on our streets or the implementation of one additional prevention program. I am particularly concerned that under H.R. 728 communities will lose $2.5 billion that would have put more community police officers on the street and would have provided for the additional implementation of crucial prevention programs. It is significant that the National Association of Counties, whose members would receive the grants, opposes H.R. 728 and supports the President's 1994 crime bill with a balanced approach of funding for both law enforcement and prevention programs.”