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Clinton, Bill

Establishing the Ounce of Prevention Council: A Comprehensive Approach to Crime Prevention

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, signed into law by President Clinton on September 13, 1994, marked a significant shift in the federal government's approach to crime prevention. The Act established the Ounce of Prevention Council, a new body responsible for overseeing and coordinating various crime prevention programs. The Council's mission was to address the root causes of criminal and violent behavior through a comprehensive and bottom-up approach.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ounce of Prevention Council was established to oversee and coordinate various crime prevention programs, including those aimed at addressing root causes of criminal and violent behavior.
  • The Council's mission was to provide a single federal forum for communities in distress to address their economic and security needs.
  • The Council's structure included the Vice President as Chair, the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy as Vice Chair, and representatives from various executive branch departments and agencies.
  • The Council's activities included assisting communities in developing crime prevention strategies and evaluating the effectiveness of crime prevention programs governed by the Act.
  • The Council was required to report to the President's Community Enterprise Board on its activities.
  • Executive Order No. 12839 of February 10, 1993, and the Federal Workforce Restructuring Act, approved March 30, 1994, directed executive branch departments and agencies to reduce the federal workforce by 272,900 positions, funding various crime prevention programs.

Statistics:

  • The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 was signed into law on September 13, 1994.
  • The Act established the Ounce of Prevention Council to oversee and coordinate various crime prevention programs.
  • The Council's membership included the Vice President, the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, and representatives from various executive branch departments and agencies.
  • The Council's mission was designed to address the root causes of criminal and violent behavior through a comprehensive approach.
  • The Act provided funding for various crime prevention programs through reductions in the federal bureaucracy, specifically a reduction of 272,900 positions.
  • The Council was required to dedicate personnel and administrative support to fulfill its missions and responsibilities.

Sources:

  • Memorandum for the Vice President, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of Education, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Director of National Drug Control Policy, the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy. "The Ounce of Prevention Council." September 13, 1994.

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