Pelosi: Republican Cutbacks to Law Enforcement Lead to Increased Crime

[ProSense]

Pelosi: Republican Cutbacks to Law Enforcement Lead to Increased Crime

25 minutes ago

To: National Desk

Contact: Brendan Daly of the Office of Nancy Pelosi, 202-226-7616

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31 /U.S. Newswire/ -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on the Bush Administration's admission that they have failed to serve local law enforcement:

"The police chiefs are right: Severe Republican funding cutbacks to local law enforcement and the COPS program have led to increased crime.

"The Bush Administration, through the Deputy Attorney General, today admitted that 'there are many needs and desires on the part of law enforcement that we have not been able to serve well.'

"In fact, the Bush Administration and the Republican Congress have cut $2.2 billion from state and local law enforcement since 2001 - a 46 percent decrease from 2001.

"The American people have seen firsthand the results: Dramatic increases in murders and violent crimes across the nation. Last year, murders rose 4.8 percent, the largest increase in 15 years.

"The police chiefs know what all Americans know: We must fight crime by putting cops on the streets, not eliminating their positions as the Bush Administration and Republicans have done. Democrats have fought - and will continue to fight - to fund COPS and put cops back on the beat. It is time for a new direction for America."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20060831/pl_usnw/pelosi__republican_cutbacks_to_law_enforcement_lead_to_increased_crime306_xml