William Barr Quotes

It takes a long, hard effort and sustained determination to reduce crime. We will stay the course and we are confident that the numbers will continue to go down.

Every day, in every city and town across the country, police officers are performing vital services that help make their communities safer.

It is imperative that state and local jurisdictions not scrimp on investing in law enforcement.

I lament that we waste so much time and money in punishing crimes and take so little pains to prevent them…

Tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime.

To control violence [and other crime] requires a police system of professional investigations and good equipment. We don’t have it.

The essence to reducing violent crime in our society is to take these people [criminals] off the street.

Fighting crime is not cheap, because it requires boots on the ground.

“I’m going to stop crime in the streets.” A president is pressured to make that promise even though a President can’t do anything about street crime.

But passing by all other considerations, and contemplating merely the political institutions of the United States, I lament that we waste so much time and money in punishing crimes and take so little pains to prevent them.

Crime is not going to be stopped by police departments. You have to have police departments but alone they cannot stop crime.

Broken-windows enforcement is really about controlling behavior to such an extent you change it: If you deal with the little things, you can keep them from going into the big things. Zero tolerance implies zealotry. It's oppressive. And it's not achievable. You're never going to be in a position to eliminate all crime.

Police reform is working, and crime is falling.

Putting cops on streets is the most effective way to combat crime.

If we're going to talk about mayors, that under the current mayor [of New York in 2016], crime has continued to drop, including murders.

In my home State of Minnesota, I have seen firsthand the importance of Byrne grants to local police in reducing crime and drugs and improving public safety.

As governor, there isn't a lot I can do beyond that to crack down on crime. Law enforcement is really a local issue. It's the cops' job to tighten down on criminals.

All issues of crime are better addressed at the state level.

Violent crime rates fell steadily from 1993 to 2002, and this nearly coincides with the establishment of the community policing program known as the COPS program under the Clinton administration.

Why does crime happen? Well, you might say that it's because youths don't have jobs. Or you might say that's because the doors of our buildings are not fortified enough. Given some limited funds to spend, you can either create yet another national employment program or you can equip houses with even better cameras, sensors, and locks.

Cops on the beat can stop problems before the damage spreads.

My 26 years experience as a police officer and official, including command of two police districts, tells me that unfortunately the only short-term response that can counter the on-street violence and offer neighborhoods relief from crime and drugs is aggressive law enforcement.... Cities and states have made police the institution of first response rather than of last resort in addressing this crisis.

For every jail that Mr. Nixon would build, Mr. Humphrey would also build a house. For every policeman Mr. Wallace would hire, Mr. Humphrey would also hire a good teacher.

Arresting people is not going to lower the crime rate

Having the support of our communities is absolutely essential to productive and sustainable crime prevention efforts. While there are law enforcement agencies that have meaningful and transparent relationships with all segments of their communities, it is fair to say that there are other agencies that need to further enhance relationships and build trust within their communities, particularly among disenfranchised segments.