FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AG
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1998
(202) 514-2008
WWW.USDOJ.GOV
TDD (202) 514-1888

STATEMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

"Today, for the third year in a row, I am pleased to report that we have more good news in the fight against juvenile crime. In 1997, the juvenile murder arrest rate dropped 16 percent from the previous year. And juvenile arrests for violent crime fell by 4 percent.

"This trend of declining juvenile crime is the product of many factors, and many Americans deserve the credit. Chiefs of police and sheriffs have joined others to ensure a balanced program that provides effective, firm, fair enforcement along with prevention programs that work. Mayors, other community leaders, representatives of the faith community, and the business sector have joined together to create a safety net around children and families at risk. So much is being done and I think another group that deserves a great deal of the credit are the young people who care so much and who want to contribute to make a difference and want to stop the violence and the disorder in their communities.

"Juvenile crime is not something that we have to accept as a way of life. We can bring these numbers down and we are-- but there is still much more that needs to be done. While juvenile crime is dropping the problem has still not been solved, in fact juvenile crime has still not declined to the levels of fifteen years ago. That is why I am very pleased that Congress voted to provide the $95 million dollars for crime prevention activities for at risk youth. Funding that the President requested. In addition, the President asked for money for after-school programs and programs during non-school hours that can, I think, again make a significant difference.

"Crime is down generally in this country for six years in a row. These figures this morning reflect greater optimism, but we can not become complacent. There has been a tendency in the past to say well, we have got better crime figures so lets look at something else. If we retain a bigger effort to reduce crime, we can truly make a difference in this country and we can have a substantial impact on the culture of violence on us all."

###

98-554