EMBARGOED UNTIL 6 P.M.                                         AG
SUNDAY, MAY 5, 1996                                (202) 616-2777
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

      ATTORNEY GENERAL RENO ON THE NEW 1995 CRIME STATISTICS

     Attorney General Janet Reno made the following statement about
the FBI's preliminary Uniform Crime Report statistics for 1995:

     "Today's numbers are a further indication that aroused
     communities and energized Federal, state and local law
     enforcement are working together to cut crime.  We will
     continue to put more cops on the beat, get guns off the
     street, and put violent criminals behind bars."

     The preliminary figures show that serious crimes dropped 2
percent in 1995 -- including a 4 percent drop in violent crimes and
an 8 percent drop in murders.  Violent crime dropped in all regions
and by a rate of 6 percent in cities with more than 1 million
people.

     Copies of the report can be obtained from the FBI press office
at (202) 324-3691.

     This statement is embargoed until 6 p.m., Sunday, May 5.

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