By Ed Somers
July 1, 2002

The Criminal and Social Justice Committee of the Conference of Mayors met in Madison on June 15 to consider resolutions and discuss priority issues. The meeting was chaired by Mayor Jeff Griffin of Reno, who noted that it will be his last in that he is leaving office at the end of the year.

In addition to the resolution's action, which strongly reaffirmed the need for a direct Homeland Security Block Grant for cities, the discussion centered on the impact of Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reorganizations on cities and local law enforcement.

Speaking to the issue of INS reform was Kris Kobach from the Office of Attorney General John Ashcroft who described the new monitoring system for 100,000 foreign visitors which will go into effect for persons who enter the country after October 1. Kobach said that the Foreign Terrorism Tracking Task Force is implementing a new system of registration which includes digital fingerprinting, periodic registration, and exit control and monitoring. Kobach said that a variety of factors will be used to determine which visitors will be monitored including country of origin, age, sex, passport vs. country of origin, and travel patterns reflected on passports.

Under the new system, the names of persons who have overstayed their visas will now be posted on the NCIC system by the end of September — the Conference of Mayors had specifically asked that such information be posted on NCIC. If these persons are stopped by local police for other reasons and their names are checked, local police will be asked to hold them for immigration violations. Mr. Kobach emphasized that this will not be an unfunded mandate in that local police will be reimbursed for holding and transportation costs.

When some concern was expressed as to the impact this could have on local law enforcement efforts to encourage all persons to report crimes and use the police, Kobach stressed that the system is voluntary, and that local police who see a NCIC hit for immigration violations will not be required to make an arrest.

Speaking on the issue of FBI reorganization was David Mitchell, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Wisconsin Field Office. Mr. Mitchell discussed the restructuring plan announced by FBI Director Robert S. Mueller which includes moving about 518 agents to counter-terrorism activities. The majority of these agents, 400, will come from anti-drug activities, about a 19 percent reduction in this area. 59 will come from white-collar crime, and 59 from violent crime. It is expected that some of the anti-drug activities will be picked up by the DEA.

The Committee also heard from Tim Quinn, Chief of Staff for the COPS Office who discussed the continuing role of COPS in fighting crime, and resources available in the homeland war against terrorism, such as the Volunteers in Policing Services Program (VIPS). Mr. Quinn urged mayors to participate in the upcoming National Community Policing Conference sponsored by COPS on July 14-17.

Also speaking was Kristina Simpson, Branch Chief, Intergovernmental and Community Relations Branch of the Federal Emergency Management Agency who discussed the Administration's $3.5 billion first responders initiative and stressed the importance of mutual aid agreements. In response to a question, Ms. Simpson said that FEMA is working with private industry to increase the standardization of public safety communications equipment to improve interoperability — which has been a major concern for mayors and first responders.

Adopted Resolutions

The following resolutions were adopted in the Criminal and Social Justice Committee:

Resolution #20 calls for a Homeland Security Block Grant with direct local assistance and maximum flexibility.

Resolution #21 calls for legislation which would strengthen federal-local law enforcement communications and the sharing of intelligence.

Resolution #22 states that the COPS program must be fully maintained in Fiscal Year 2003, and calls on Congress to pass, and the President to sign, legislation to reauthorize the COPS program with increased flexibility.

Resolution #23 states support for the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant and urges that it not be merged with the state-based Byrne Grant program, and calls for minimum funding in Fiscal Year 2003 of $523 million, which reflects funding levels prior to the 23 percent cut last year.

Resolution #24 urges that the 24 megahertz of spectrum in the 700 megahertz band be made available for local public safety uses as quickly as possible, and calls on the federal government to assist local governments with the tremendous cost of outfitting public safety agencies with communications hardware that facilitates interoperability. This resolution was also reported by the Transportation and Communications Committee.

Resolution #64 commends the FBI for moving forward with reorganization, urges that local law enforcement be made an integral part of the national intelligence network, and calls for a detailed conversation regarding what this reorganization will mean for traditional law enforcement and anti-crime efforts.

Resolution #65 supports the creation of a new Department of Homeland Security—as previously called for by the Conference, calls on the Administration and Congress to work closely with mayors on developing the final structure, urges a single point of contact for mayors, calls for streamlined programs with direct funding for cities, and urges improved intelligence sharing.