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.

[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>