On the recordMarch 24, 2010
today I am pleased to introduce the PRECAUTION Act--the Prevention Resources for Eliminating Criminal Activity Using Tailored Interventions in Our Neighborhoods Act. It is a long name, but it stands for an important principle--that it is better to invest in precautionary measures now than it is to pay the costs of crime--both in dollars and lives--later on. I am pleased that the Senator from Pennsylvania, Senator Specter, will again join me as an original cosponsor of this legislation. The Federal Government has three important roles to play in fighting crime. First, the Federal Government should develop and disseminate knowledge to state and local officials regarding the newest and most effective law enforcement techniques and strategies. Second, the Federal Government should provide financial support for innovations that our State and local partners cannot afford to fund on their own. With that funding, it should also provide guidance, training, and technical assistance to implement those innovations. Third, the Federal Government can help to create and maintain effective partnerships among agencies at all levels of government, partnerships that are crafted to address specific law enforcement challenges. The PRECAUTION Act is designed to support all three of these important roles.
