Crime

June 1, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – In response to the murder of Dr. George Tiller, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement:

"I am outraged and saddened that in this day and age, a doctor is murdered simply for working on behalf of his patients.

"While the issue of reproductive rights provokes emotions on both sides, threats of violence and harassment are morally reprehensible and should not be tolerated.

"Dr. Tiller’s death is a tremendous loss for all those who care about the health and well being of women and families.

"My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Tiller's family.”

Source: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

June 1, 2009 -- "I send my condolences to Dr. Tiller's family, friends and patients who relied on him.

The debate over abortion rights is very difficult and reaches deep into religion, philosophy and one’s view of Roe v. Wade.

Everyone has the right to work for changes in the law. But to assault a health care worker, a patient or anyone else because of a disagreement about an issue, regardless of how contentious, brings all of humanity down into a dark pit of violence.

Such actions must not be tolerated.    » read more »

May 31, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson issued the following statement on the murder of Dr. George Tiller:

“I was deeply saddened to learn that Dr. George Tiller, a well-known provider of and advocate for women’s health care, was gunned down this morning at his church in Wichita, Kansas. With his murder, we are robbed not only of a dedicated and courageous physician, but also of a husband, father and neighbor. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I would like to express my deepest condolences to Dr. Tiller’s family, friends and community. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.    » read more »

06/01/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today offered rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction in a California court of the person or persons responsible for each of the following three unsolved murder cases in California.

The following is a brief description of each crime and the reward amount offered:

* On July 16, 1975, the body of 17-year-old Donna Joann Peeples was found in a grape vineyard in Stanislaus County. The Governor is offering a reward in the amount of $50,000. It was requested by Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson.    » read more »

May 29, 2009 -- Today, Attorney General Eric Holder announced a new International Organized Crime Intelligence and Operations Center (IOC-2) that will marshal the resources and information of nine U.S. law enforcement agencies, as well as federal prosecutors, to collectively combat the threats posed by international criminal organizations to domestic safety and security. Attorney General Holder made the announcement today in Rome at the G8 Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial.    » read more »

May 29, 2009 -- WASHINGTON—Today, Attorney General Eric Holder announced a new International Organized Crime Intelligence and Operations Center (IOC-2) that will marshal the resources and information of nine U.S. law enforcement agencies, as well as federal prosecutors, to collectively combat the threats posed by international criminal organizations to domestic safety and security. Attorney General Holder made the announcement today in Rome at the G8 Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial.    » read more »

NEW YORK, NY – May 31, 2009 -- Cecile Richards, President of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, today issued the following statement on the murder of reproductive health care provider Dr. George Tiller in Wichita, KS.

The entire Planned Parenthood family is deeply saddened by the murder of Dr. George Tiller. While he was not a Planned Parenthood provider, he was an integral part of our community and his loss is felt by all of us. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and those close to him who are suffering a personal tragedy.    » read more »

5/29/2009 -- Raleigh -- North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue today announced the awarding of $62 million in grants to state and local agencies to improve community safety and assist crime victims.

After reviewing more than 520 grant applications, the Governor’s Crime Commission (GCC) made awards for 315 programs in 86 counties, five universities and six state agencies. The money will help efforts to stop gangs, fight juvenile delinquency, assist victims of domestic violence and provide updated equipment for law enforcement agencies.    » read more »

05/29/2009 -- Building on his commitment to combat gang violence and protect public safety, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today joined law enforcement officials in Salinas to highlight California’s Gang Reduction, Intervention and Prevention (CalGRIP) funding and to announce the first-ever “Gifts for Guns” program in the area, modeled after the program created by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.    » read more »

05/28/2009 -- Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen today vetoed House Bill 962, which would permit the possession of firearms in Tennessee restaurants and bars. Law enforcement officials and district attorneys from across the state flanked Bredesen as he spoke about his reasons for the veto.

"Let me be very clear: I am a strong supporter of the right to keep and bear arms. I am, and have always been, committed to preserving the rights of the Second Amendment: basic American rights. These rights are protected by the United States Constitution and the Tennessee Constitution as well," Bredesen said.    » read more »

Legislation Would Ensure Gun Dealer Employees Have Passed Background Checks and Prevent Ineligible Gun Owners from Possessing a Gun License

May 28, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that he has proposed legislation that would help ensure that only law-abiding individuals are able to obtain and retain firearms licenses.

This legislation, which was delivered to the Legislature today, will close gaps in New York law that may allow persons to obtain or retain firearms licenses even though they are barred by federal law from possessing those weapons. This includes requiring a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check every three or five years for gun licensees and dealers.    » read more »

Survey Shows Over a Million Consumers are Being Swindled

May 27, 2009 -- Washington DC – Today, the Consumer Federation of America is launching a national campaign to combat fake check scams. Millions of consumers are lured into accepting genuine-looking checks and money orders and wiring money to crooks in return. According to the results of a CFA survey, nearly one third of adults have been approached with fake check scams and at least 1.3 million have become actual victims.    » read more »

May 27, 2009 -- (Lincoln Neb.) -- Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman today signed LB 63. The bill addresses violent crime by enacting increased penalties and new crimes. It also creates a new Office of Violence Prevention within the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice (Crime Commission).

LB 63 was introduced by Sen. Mike Friend and prioritized by Sen. Brad Ashford, both of Omaha. It strengthens penalties for crimes including first degree assault, assault of an officer, unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a firearm at a school, and possession of a stolen firearm.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- Detroit—The Honorable Janet Napolitano, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Honorable Peter Van Loan, Canadian Minister of Public Safety, toured port operations today on both sides of the shared United States/Canada border and signed an agreement to make Shiprider—joint law enforcement teams stationed along the international maritime border—permanent.    » read more »

May 22, 2009 -- BATON ROUGE – Today, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal announced that 150 Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice (LCLE) grants totaling over $20 million have been awarded to municipalities as well as law enforcement programs and agencies throughout the state. Governor Jindal said the grants will be used to enhance Louisiana’s criminal justice system and promote public safety.

Governor Jindal said, “We’re committed to providing our law enforcement officers and public safety agencies with the resources they need to keep our families safe. These grants will help ensure that our entire criminal justice system has the capacity to keep our citizens protected.”    » read more »