By Justin O’Brien
February 11, 2008

U.S. Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey told the nation’s mayors during the 76th Winter Meeting January 24 to expect continued partnership from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat violent crime. Mukasey described DOJ’s city cooperation efforts and his intentionsto further strengthen the partnership during his tenure.

Noting violent crime reduction is one of his foremost goals, Mukasey announced that the President is seeking $200 million from Congress to combat violent crime. Mukasey said DOJ’s work with cities is imperative to reducing crime, adding that it cannot happen without federal resources.

“We learn from you,” Mukasey said. “You have more feet on the street and a critical closeness to the issues,” he added. There are 800,000 state and local law enforcement and public safety officers, while there are less than 25,000 federal officers. “We have to be your partners,” Mukasey said.

However, it was learned after the meeting with the release of the FY 2009 Budget that this funding would come at the expense of many existing federal law enforcement programs supported by USCM. Specifically, USCM has called for the restoration of COPS and Byrne/JAG block grant funding — both slated for elimination under the Administration’s budget.

Mukasey concurred with the mayors on violent crime’s underlying challenges noting the mayors’ significant work in these areas. The nation’s mayors count illegal guns, anti-gang strategies, prevention efforts and offender re-entry programming as key to combating violent crime in their 10-Point Plan. Mukasey agreed, saying, “They are no less important in beating back the tide of violent crime.”

Mukasey said that Safe Streets Task Forces are seeking to dismantle organized gangs by addressing them as criminal enterprises under federal RICO standards and showcase how cities and DOJ work together to positive effect to take criminals off the street. “Because the local knowledge of mayors and police chiefs is far more valuable than broad policy declarations from Washington, $75 million in grant monies was made available to state and local governments to fund city and local task forces in 2007,” he explained.

Mukasey also noted the expansion of cooperative programs such as Project Safe Neighborhoods where gun crime is a key target and the work of ATF violent crime impact teams to eliminate firearm-related crimes. Illegal guns are a key public safety and law enforcement priority for the nation’s mayors. Specifically, the mayors have called for the restoration of the assault weapons ban, closing the gun show background check loophole and the removal of the “Tiahrt Amendment,” which prohibits law enforcement access to gun trace data.

Mukasey expressed serious concern regarding the recent decision by the U.S. Sentencing Commission to retroactively apply lower sentencing for crack cocaine offenders, saying that it will directly affect crime-fighting efforts. “It is not an academic exercise,” he said.

Over 1,600 convicted criminals may be released as a result of the decision. Hasty releases could contribute to a surge in criminal activity and a surge in new crime in cities. Importantly, he noted offenders eligible for release may not be prepared for reentry not having received recommended transitional programming, education, job training, drug treatment, housing and other preparation. Programming needs time for full development and blanket retroactivity may not allow for effective rehabilitation, he said.

10-Point Plan Validated

Mukasey closed by reiterating his intent to provide mayors the resources they need to fight crime effectively. “I am dedicated to doing all I can to help”, he assured the mayors.

Conference President Trenton (NJ) Mayor Douglas H. Palmer thanked Mukasey for joining with the mayors and for his support of city crime reduction efforts. Palmer also thanked Mukasey for his further validation of the Mayors’ 10-Point Plan.

A new USCM-Zogby poll released the day before confirmed the close alignment of city priorities with those of the American public.