Crime Rates Rise Again –
Reaction Of Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.)
Dec. 16, 2002

“With the crime rate rising for the first time in a decade and with the wave of corporate scandals, there’s a clear need for more effective law enforcement across the board.  We cannot afford to let down our guard.

“The two things that are especially disturbing are the new trend showing an unprecedented rise in suburban crime, and the continuing rise in the murder rate for the second straight year.  Nearly every type of crime is up in suburban counties, with murders rising a staggering 11.5 percent and forcible rapes up 3 percent.

“This is not the time to freeze grants to state and local law enforcement officers while giving large cash bonuses to political appointees, ignoring the professionals who have made law enforcement their career.

“The rise in crime comes at a time when Attorney General Ashcroft faces the challenge of refocusing his department, now that the new Department of Homeland Security will be taking over the lead role in preventing further acts of terrorism.  Preventing terrorism still needs to be the top priority overall, but the creation of the new department means it’s also time for stronger efforts to curb these rising crime rates."

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