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`4k) -0o6i D—_6_76 Law Enforcement & Crime Prevention in Minnesota `14V THE EAGLE An LECC Newsletter Published by the U.S. Attorney's Office Issue No. 4 Winter 1996 0 SAVE THE COPS PROGRAM By: David Lillehaug, U.S. Attorney The COPS, program (which, by any measure, is already a success) is in serious danger and needs your supportl As you'll remember, in January 1994 President Clinton, in his State of the Union address, pledged to put 100,000 additional police officers on America's streets and roads. He recognized that in the 1960's, this country had almost 3 1/2 police officers for every violent crime reported annually. In the 1990's, we have around 3 1/2 violent crimes each year for every police officer. The COPS idea became a reality with the passage of the Violent Crime Control Act, the "Crime Bill," signed into law on September 13, 1994. It author- ized $8.8 billion over six years for community -oriented policing grants. The COPS program was supported by virtually every major law enforcement organization in the country. Slightly over a year later 30,000 additional officers have been funded. Attorney General Reno has announced that the program is "ahead of schedule and under budget." Here in Minnesota, I've made our office a clearinghouse for information and assistance on COPS grants. To date, Minnesota has received $23 million, allowing for the hiring or redeployment of about 400 officers. Presently our Law Enforcement Coordinator, Jeanne Cooney, is assisting dozens of police chiefs and sheriffs who have submitted or are planning to submit applications. Some of the calls to Jeanne in the last few weeks, however, have been politely irate. Some complain that the grants have been slowed by furloughs in Washington. But the greatest concern is whether the program will continue.- As of now, well into the second quarter of the fiscal year, COPS has no 1996 budget. Indeed, the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives has vo- ted to eliminate the COPS office Continued on Page IS.... DOMESTIC ABUSE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT: An Overview of Minnesota's Crusade and a Grant Notice Domestic abuse and sexual assault are violent acts committed by all kinds of people: enter- tainers, professional athletes, legislators and police officers, as well as by some poor and unemp- loyed, whose names are never flashed across our television screens. But regardless of who the abusers are, their victims suffer. Thankfully, Minnesota has a long history of helping abuse victims. Continued on Page I4.... Save the COPS Program Domestic Abuse FBI Profile Ricin in Minnesota Anti -Violent Crime Package Thief River Conference The INS Media Relations 21st Century Police Government Surplus COPS Training