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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release July 16, 1999

            VICE PRESIDENT GORE INVITES COMMUNITIES TO JOIN
              "SAFECITIES NETWORK" TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE

Washington, DC - Vice President Al Gore today invited communities across the country to share successful strategies and to work together with federal law enforcement agencies to reduce gun violence.

"Communities across the country are working to end gun violence," Vice President Gore said. "The SafeCities Network will link them, help them share what works with other communities, and support them with federal resources so that they can be more successful."

The SafeCities Network will leverage information technology to use existing funding and resources more effectively and connect communities and law enforcement agencies with best practices and with peers working on similar goals. It will share lessons learned via a SafeCities Web site and give national recognition to successful communities. It will also link communities and law enforcement agencies to federal initiatives, including the integrated firearms reduction strategies being prepared by U.S. Attorneys and Special Agents in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. It will not increase federal funding.

The Vice President invited community partnerships to express interest in the SafeCities Network. The SafeCities Network is seeking community partners that have a plan to reduce gun violence that balances prevention, intervention, and enforcement strategies; a commitment to measure and achieve results; and involvement of key stakeholders such as federal, state, and local law enforcement officials, education officials, faith community representatives, business leaders, or other key community members.

Interested communities and organizations can find additional information about the SafeCities Network in the July 12, 1999 Federal Register, Volume 64, Number 133 [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr13jy99-123]. Expressions of interest from interested communities are due by August 15, 1999.

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