By Jocelyn Bogen
June 27, 2005

The Criminal and Social Justice Committee of the Conference of Mayors met June 11 in Chicago to consider resolutions and discuss issues ranging from protecting children to federal efforts to reduce violent crime and gangs. Elizabeth (NJ) Mayor J. Christian Bollwage chaired the meeting.

Herbert C. Jones, Vice President of External Affairs at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, opened the meeting with a presentation on the Hand in Hand with Children: Guiding and Protectin" program, a week-long project designed to educate communities on taking an active role in the protecting children and teaching them fun ways to remain safe. "There are at least 2,000 children reported missing to law enforcement each and every day," stated Jones. "The good news is most of these kids come home, mainly because they are either across the street or just out of eye sight," he added.

Macon (GA) Mayor C. Jack Ellis had participated in the program and encouraged other mayors to host safety events. "We are not alone in the fight to protect our children," said Ellis. Each day during the Hand in Hand with Children: Guiding and Protecting week-long program, elected officials working with community leaders will discuss and present topics about abduction, sexual exploitation, healthcare and other safety messages to children and families.

Tim Quinn, Chief of Staff for the COPS Office at the Department of Justice, gave an update on the Administrations FY 2006 budget and advised mayors to utilize their local Regional Community Policing Institutes (RCPI's) on emerging law enforcement issues. "The Attorney General has designated the RCPI's to serve as a main vehicle for training of state and local law enforcement on gang violence reduction topics," explained Quinn.

Michael Bouchard, Assistant Director Office of Field Operations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), gave an update on the Attorney General's anti-gang initiative. The initiative is an integrated and comprehensive approach that aims to remove the most violent criminals from the streets. This includes taking advantage of federal laws - gun laws, drug laws, and the RICO statutes - to eradicate the violent threat from our neighborhoods.

"We are looking to attack this problem from the bottom up and go after the most violent criminals - the drive-by shooters, murderers/hits, people selling drugs while armed — basically the people terrifying the community. We don't want to leave those people on the street," said Bouchard. Over the last four years ATF gang prosecutions were up by 399 percent, and in 2005 they are up by 40 percent. "All gang members are not criminals. You may think they are, but they aren't actually. They are doing petty crimes. We are going after gang members who are committing the most violent acts," said Bouchard.

The following resolutions were adopted:

• Federal Anti-Gang Legislation
• The Cops Program
• The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program
• Federal Funding for 3-1-1- Systems
• Public Safety Access to 700 MHz Spectrum
• The Terrorist Apprehension and Record Retention (TARR) Act
• Promoting Safe, Successful Re-Entry and Self'sufficiency for People Leaving Jail or Prisons
• Gang Prevention/Positive Youth Development
• Urging Prevention and Prosecution of Human Trafficking at Home and Abroad
• Money Follows the Person Act of 2005
• Supporting One-To-One Community Based Mentoring for Children of Incarcerated Parents