 National Association of Counties * Washington, D.C. Vol. 31, No. 5 * March 15, 1999 Previous story | Table of Contents | Next story Reno challenges counties to Politicians must ‘stop the rhetoric’ on By Mary Ann Barton
Although there are "no easy answers or quick fixes" when it comes to fighting crime these days, providing good care for at-risk kids and preventing illegal use of guns are two ways counties can make a difference, Attorney General Janet Reno told NACo members Feb. 27. "As elected leaders in your communities, each of you can play a critical role in ensuring that effective steps are taken both to promote early childhood development initiatives and to reduce gun-related fatalities and injuries," she said. The two issues were her main topics of discussion in a 45-minute speech and question-and-answer session with members of the Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee at NACo’s Legislative Conference.
"If we want to turn this situation around, we must ensure that the basic buildings blocks for a safe, healthy and productive life are made available to each and every child," she said, ticking off "building blocks" for success that include: a strong and stable family free of violence, adequate health care and safety. She urged county officials to consider the Smart Start program in North Carolina, which has been implemented in most of the counties. The program uses partnerships within the community to develop a needs assessment for children from birth to five years. Based on the assessment, the program offers services ranging from child care and immunizations to health screenings, parent education and family support services.
She called the problem a "peculiarly American" one. Ninety-three Americans die each day from gun-related injuries and roughly 290 suffer gunshot injuries, she said. In 1996, there were more than 13,000 gun-related homicides in the United States. In that same year, there were 106 gun-related homicides in Canada, 30 in Great Britain and 15 in Japan. "Reducing the number of firearm-related injuries and deaths must become a national priority," she said. "Not just at the federal level, but especially at the state and local level, we must prevent illegal use and possession of guns by felons, the mentally disturbed and disabled and others who are legally not allowed to have them." Reno cited statistics that show the Brady law has kept 69,000 people from having guns who shouldn’t have them. But the law doesn’t stop many felons and other prohibited persons from getting guns at gun shows, she said. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) has introduced legislation to close the loophole, making it illegal. "We’ve got to stop the rhetoric," she said. "It’s not a Republican or Democrat problem." Moses Carey, an Orange County, N.C. commissioner who chairs the steering committee, agreed with the assessment by the attorney general and said counties should spend money on preventative measures rather than on jails. "It’s not an urban problem, it’s not a rural problem, it’s a community problem and there’s nothing more expensive or costly than what we’re doing right now."
One of her proudest moments, Reno noted, was hearing a rap song about her efforts to improve child support collections. "We should make it as easy to collect child support as it is to collect income tax in this country," she said. |
