119-hres535

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 535 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
H. RES. 535

Recognizing June 24th as Public Safety Awareness Day to promote citizen 
 empowerment, effective law enforcement, community-based crime 
prevention, and prudent public policy in support of safer neighborhoods 
 nationwide.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 June 23, 2025

Mr. Owens submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
 Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

Recognizing June 24th as Public Safety Awareness Day to promote citizen 
 empowerment, effective law enforcement, community-based crime 
prevention, and prudent public policy in support of safer neighborhoods 
 nationwide.

Whereas public safety is a foundational responsibility of government and a 
 prerequisite for a thriving society;
Whereas empowering citizens through education, resources, and self-advocacy 
 builds stronger, more resilient communities;
Whereas individuals and families affected by violent crime deserve access to 
 robust support systems, including mental health services and victim 
 assistance programs;
Whereas community-centric safety strategies encourage civic engagement, reduce 
 reliance on centralized bureaucracies, and reinforce personal and local 
 responsibility;
Whereas public safety is undermined by ideologically driven policies that defund 
 or demoralize law enforcement and neglect the real consequences of 
 unchecked criminal behavior;
Whereas research has shown that the presence of well-trained and well-supported 
 law enforcement officers reduces crime and enhances public trust in the 
 justice system;
Whereas effective safety strategies must focus on targeted, evidence-based 
 interventions, such as ``focused deterrence'', which identifies high-
 risk individuals and offers pathways to change while holding repeat 
 offenders accountable;
Whereas non-policing solutions--such as increased street lighting, 
 revitalization of public spaces, and neighborhood-based initiatives--
 contribute meaningfully to reducing crime and improving quality of life;
Whereas prosecutorial failure to address quality-of-life offenses has 
 contributed to deteriorating property values, eroded trust in public 
 institutions, and weakened the social fabric of communities;
Whereas investing in mental health and substance abuse treatment alleviates 
 unnecessary strain on police resources and allows law enforcement to 
 focus on serious threats to public safety;
Whereas the prudent and transparent use of taxpayer resources in support of law 
 enforcement, crime prevention, and victim support reflects a government 
 that is both responsible and responsive to its citizens;
Whereas many of America's inner cities continue to experience disproportionately 
 high rates of violent crime, with homicides, shootings, and assaults 
 often concentrated in underserved communities and driven by persistent 
 cycles of poverty, underinvestment, and gang activity;
Whereas residents of high-crime neighborhoods--often low-income and majority-
 minority communities--face daily threats to their safety and well-being, 
 undermining economic opportunity, access to education, and overall 
 quality of life while reinforcing systemic inequities;
Whereas, in 2024, cities such as Philadelphia, Baltimore, St. Louis, New 
 Orleans, and Chicago ranked among those with the highest per capita 
 homicide rates in the nation, highlighting a national crisis that 
 demands targeted, data-driven solutions and community-based 
 interventions;
Whereas Chicago recorded 617 homicides in 2023, leading the nation in total 
 murders for the 12th consecutive year;
Whereas this figure remains approximately 24 percent higher than the pre-
 pandemic total of 500 homicides in 2019;
Whereas Chicago's murder rate in 2023 was five times higher than that of New 
 York City, despite New York having more than three times the population; 
 and
Whereas the concentration of violent crime in specific neighborhoods underscores 
 the need for targeted, community-based interventions to address public 
 safety effectively: Now, therefore, be it
 Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

    (1) supports the goals and ideals of ``Public Safety 
 Awareness Day'';

    (2) supports the empowerment of citizens and communities in 
 shaping local public safety priorities;

    (3) commits to advancing policies that strengthen law 
 enforcement, uphold the Constitution, and restore 
 accountability in government;

    (4) encourages public engagement, education, and reform 
 efforts that support a safer, more secure America; and

    (5) affirms strong support for law enforcement officers 
 across the nation, recognizing their essential role in 
 maintaining public safety, and calls for robust resources, 
 clear authority, and policy frameworks that empower them to 
 carry out their duties effectively and lawfully in securing 
 communities and upholding justice.
 <all>