EMBARGOED UNTIL 4:30 PM EST

AG

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1998

(202) 616-2777

WWW.USDOJ.GOV

TDD (202) 514-1888

STATEMENT BY ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The nation's violent crime rate fell almost 7 percent during 1997, according to the Justice Department's National Crime Victimization Survey. It has fallen more than 21 percent since 1993 -- and has dropped to the lowest level since 1973. In addition, the survey shows a nearly 6 percent decline in the number of violent crimes in 1997 over the previous year.

Attorney General Janet Reno issued the following statement -- embargoed until 4:30 PM EST Sunday, December 27, 1998:

"Every one percent drop in crime means 90,000 fewer violent crime victims. That means there were about half a million fewer crime victims in 1997 than 1996, according to the survey. Because of the tools provided by President Clinton, prosecutors and police officers are continuing to see success in the fight against violent crime. We are making progress, but we cannot rest on our laurels. We need to redouble our efforts to ensure that crime continues to decline."

* * *

The survey report, "Criminal Victimization 1997, Changes 1996-97 with Trends 1993-97" (NCJ 173385) can be obtained by the Bureau of Justice Statistics fax-on-demand by dialing 301-519-5550, listening to the complete menu and selecting document number 139. Or call the BJS Clearinghouse number: 1-800-732-3277.

To obtain interviews about the report over the holiday weekend, contact Doug Johnson by pager at: 202-516-6800, or the Justice Department Command Center at: 202-514-5000.

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