Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, the series of crime bills we have now effectively block-grant the prevention and police money from the 1994 bill and then cut that block of money by $2.5 billion and increase the prison construction money by $2.5 billion. This amendment restores the $2.5 billion to the prevention and cops block grant. We have already seen, Mr. Chairman, the good work in getting the police out on the street. Many of the police have already been funded. The bill has only been in effect a few months and police have been funded already. Those cops are on the street practicing community policing and effectively reducing crime. Mr. Chairman, during the hearings on H.R. 3 and in the Committee on the Judiciary consideration of the bill, we also heard reams of testimony on crime reduction that can be effectuated by primary prevention programs. Mr. Chairman, we heard testimony that the cost of drug courts was about one-twentieth of what it cost to put people in prison, and the recidivism rate was so low that you cut crime by approximately 80 percent. Head Start and Job Corps both save more money than they cost, Mr. Chairman. We have testimony in the record showing drug treatment programs which are so effective, they save $7 for every $1 that you put into the program. We have seen recreational programs. Mr. Chairman, where for 60 cents per participant, the crime rate in Phoenix, AZ, was cut significantly.”