By Ed Somers
June 4, 2007

Conference President Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer continued his push for a renewed federal-local partnership on “hometown security” during Senate testimony on May 23.

Speaking before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs, chaired by long-time law enforcement champion Senator Joseph Biden (DE), Palmer said, “Only when our cities are safe can we focus on other priorities such as public education, job creation, and affordable housing.”

In recent years, cities have lost more than $2 billion annually as the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) hiring program was eliminated, and the local block grant was merged into the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program - and then slashed. And, the latest findings from the Police Executive Research Forum found that some cities are experiencing double-digit or even triple-digit percentage increases in homicides and other violence.

Palmer told the subcommittee, “Funding cuts are not the sole cause of the recent crime increases. But they did have a major impact.”

The mayor added, “There is also a growing culture of youth violence and disrespect on our streets - fueled by negative media and entertainment images and messages - that is contributing to the increase in crime.”

Palmer recommended the Senate to take a number of actions:

First, he urged the Senate to pass S. 368, sponsored by Biden, which would provide $1.15 billion annually for COPS. The full Judiciary Committee has already approved the bill, and Biden is working to bring it to the Senate floor.

Second, Palmer urged that the Judiciary Committee approve the Gang Abatement and Prevention Act (S. 456), sponsored by Senator Dianne Feinstein (CA). The bill would authorize more than $1 billion over the next five years to support federal, state and local law enforcement efforts against violent gangs, witness protection programs, and services geared toward gang prevention.

Third, he urged passage of the Second Chance Act (S. 1060), sponsored by Biden, which would authorize comprehensive prisoner reentry programs.

Fourth, Palmer urged that both the COPS and the Byrne/JAG programs be fully funded in Fiscal Year 2008.

Fifth, Palmer expressed strong support for funding 1,000 new FBI agents as being proposed by Biden.

Moving beyond issues directly tied to law enforcement, Palmer and Biden both agreed that a more comprehensive approach to reducing poverty and providing positive alternatives for youth must be undertaken at all levels of government.

“As our country and our people united to address the reality of terrorism after the attacks of 9/11, we must unite now to address the reality of gun violence and crime which continues to ravage our cities, suburbs and rural areas alike,” Palmer said.

Palmer urged Congress to:

• Allow the police to share trace data on illegal guns by defeating the Tiahrt Amendment;

• Close the gun show loophole which allows guns to be sold without background checks;

• Prohibit the sale of military'style assault weapons and large capacity ammunition clips;

• Help make sure that records are accurate and shared regarding those who should be prohibited under current law from purchasing a firearm, such as the dangerously mentally ill; and

• Actively enforce all current gun laws, and fully fund the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives.