How to Cut Crime

ERNEST VAN DEN HAAG

IN a few weeks, a House—Senate conference will produce a crime bill meant to address the issue now foremost in the public’s mind. President Clinton calls the legislation “the toughest and most significant anti-crime bill ever passed by the United States Congress.” Democrats have flocked toitasa way to shed their “soft-on-crime” label, while Republicans will be hard pressed to oppose it. The final legislation will doubtless achieve its aim of allowing politicians to tell their constituents that they have “cracked down” on crime. But will the new law, at least in its House incarnation, really do so? That is more doubtful.

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ERNEST VAN DEN HAAG

IN a few weeks, a House—Senate conference will produce a crime bill meant to address the issue now foremost in the public’s mind. President Clinton calls the legislation “the toughest and most significant anti-crime bill ever passed by the United States Congress.” Democrats have flocked toitasa way to shed their “soft-on-crime” label, while Republicans will be hard pressed to oppose it. The final legislation will doubtless achieve its aim of allowing politicians to tell their constituents that they have “cracked down” on crime. But will the new law, at least in its House incarnation, really do so? That is more doubtful.