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ATTORNEY GENERAL STATEMENT ON THE 2000

"This morning, I am very pleased to be joined by Deputy Secretary Frank Holleman of the Department of Education and together, we are releasing the 2000 Annual Report on School Safety.

"America's schools are safe places. In fact, crime in the nation's schools has decreased since 1992. But as I have said before, we can't be satisfied. We can and must do more. Youth crime and violence are still one of the great challenges we face.

"The classroom hostage-taking in Arizona on Tuesday - which thankfully ended without injury - is a stark reminder of the fact. Youth who commit violent crimes must be held accountable, and the punishment must be fair and firm and fit the crime. At the same time, we must do everything we can to prevent the violence in the first place.

"America has shown that if we work together, if communities, schools, the businessman, the police officer, the teacher, the principal, the preacher come together and focus on children, communities around the country are proving that prevention and intervention strategies help keep our young people out of trouble. That's why it's critical for us to do all we can to identify young people who are on the verge of getting in trouble, who need our help, and then get that help for them.

"We have made tremendous strides in these last years in mental wellness and in dealing with emotional problems among America's youth. I have visited inspiring peer mediation programs in schools like George Washington High School in San Francisco.

"We must make mental health services truly available in schools across the country and we must expand conflict resolution programs in schools in order to keep our children safe. We must deliver services to children because we know it can help to solve the problem and prevent the crime and tragedy that accompanies it.

"We must create a school-wide and community-wide base that fosters positive discipline, academic success, as well as mental and emotional wellness. If we do, we will be able to strike the right balance - as we must - between responding to early warning signs of violence, on the one hand, and unfairly labeling or stigmatizing children, on the other.

"This year's Annual Report reminds all of us to take certain key principles to heart - listen to those who work in and learn in schools every day; collaborate in new and creative ways; and implement tailored strategies, focused on prevention, intervention and accountability. I can remember the names of all my elementary school teachers. I can remember what the classrooms look like. I can remember feeling safe there. We must continue to do this for all the children of America."

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