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[EMBARGOED] STATEMENT BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

"I am pleased to announce that serious crime all across the nation has decreased by 7 percent in 1999 compared to 1998. This is the eighth consecutive year in which crime has declined in this country.

"According to the FBI, murder and robbery showed the biggest decrease in the violent crime category with an 8 percent decline. This is good news for everyone. Our streets and communities are safer than they have been for 30 years.

"These statistics show that the historic partnerships we have forged over the past seven years between local, state and federal law enforcement are working. These partnerships, which have prevented 500,000 prohibited persons from obtaining guns and funded more than 100,000 community police officers and community prosecutors, continue to drive violent crime down and make our streets and communities safer.

"Now is not the time, however, to become complacent, as long as there is a victim, there is one crime too many. We must seize the opportunity and redouble our efforts by providing alternatives to crime as well as tough enforcement."