Sanford Bishop: “To restore sanity and security to the streets of America, I strongly support a tough and fair anticrime package that…”

“To restore sanity and security to the streets of America, I strongly support a tough and fair anticrime package that offers a balance between punishment and prevention and attacks the root causes of crime. But today, Mr. Speaker, I rise to sing the praises of Albany, GA, its police department, and the city administrators for their commitment to a community-based policing program that began just a few months ago. The city of Albany was a grant to begin a community-based policing pilot program. Their work has gone so well the Justice department invited them all to Washington this week. On Monday, 14 newly-hired officers and the public officials from Albany met with Attorney General Reno to discuss the positive aspects of community-based policing. The officers spoke openly and enthusiastically about the merits of their community-based policing effort. Communities outside the pilot area are now asking when they will be served by community-based policing. With this crime bill before us today, we can provide the other areas of Albany and the rest of America's crime-plagued communities the reinvigorating initiative of community-based policing that has proven successful in Albany, GA.”