By Laura DeKoven Waxman
July 14, 2008

Combating gun crimes and youth violence were the primary issues discussed during a meeting of several mayors and Miami Police Chief John F. Timoney held June 20 during the Conference’s Annual Meeting. The purpose of the session was to launch an effort within the Conference of Mayors to bring mayors and police chiefs together to develop an action agenda to combat violent crime that will be presented to the next President of the United States.

Conference President Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer opened the session and put its purpose in perspective. "One of the most important things we are doing during this Miami meeting is preparing to engage the presidential candidates and the president-elect on our cities’ most pressing problems," he said. "One of those problems is crime."

Timoney, who also serves as President of the Police Executive Research Forum, indicated that the organization is "fully prepared to work with mayors" on an agenda to combat crime and will support the Conference in its efforts. He discussed the fact that, while violent crime is decreasing in large cities, it is going up in mid'size cities.

Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence President Paul Helmke laid out a legislative agenda, which, he indicated, could take several years to enact. It included closing the gun show loophole, reinstating the assault weapons ban, halting the bulk purchasing of guns, and utilizing new technologies like microstamping. Helmke is the former mayor of Fort Wayne and a Past President of the Conference of Mayors.

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak discussed his city’s effort to combat youth violence, a problem that stems from what he described as an increasingly violent and disconnected generation. Minneapolis has combined tough enforcement with a public health approach to the problem — one which Rybak said could serve as a template for both other cities and a federal initiative.

Other issues discussed included the need to increase funding available through the COPS program and the importance of federal-local law enforcement partnerships.

Other mayors in attendance included Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, Elizabeth (NJ) Mayor Chris Bollwage, Washington (DC) Mayor Adrian Fenty, Kalamazoo (MI) Mayor Bobby Hopewell, Stamford (CT) Mayor Dannel Malloy, Palatine (IL) Mayor Rita Mullins, and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa.