Crime
Making Florida and America Safe

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The past few years have redefined personal safety in America. We all now have a heightened sense of how vulnerable we can be to threats of violence at home, and the need to keep our law enforcement strong - and that means providing them with the resources they need to do their jobs.

That’s why I’ve been so vocal in my criticism of the president and some in Congress who have short-changed our police and other first-responders in meeting our homeland security needs. In the Senate, I’ll continue to fight for the resources so critical to the protection of Florida residents. Under-funding homeland security requires local law enforcement to spread its scarce resources too thinly in meeting the needs of our communities.

In Congress, I’ve worked to strengthen the hand of law enforcement and victims of violent crime in ways that are making a difference. I’ve cosponsored legislation to extend the ban on assault weapons originally passed in 1994. This important law helps protect our nation’s police officers by making it more difficult for high-powered assault weapons to fall into the hands of criminals.

And while I support our constitutional right to bear arms and have opposed unnecessary restrictions on that right, I oppose legislation to limit the liability of gun manufacturers in civil suits because we must protect the rights of victims of handgun violence, as well. In fact, I have worked hard to help all victims of violent crime. I have been a strong supporter of victims of violence against women, including the landmark Violence Against Women Act, which contains important provisions aimed at reducing domestic violence and sexual assault and increased funding for expanded and improved shelters for battered women. I have cosponsored the Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act to require hospitals receiving federal funds to provide emergency contraception to victims of sexual assault, as well as the Debbie Smith Act to provide funding for sexual assault examiner programs and forensic equipment to reduce the huge backlog in DNA evidence waiting to be processed in rape cases across America.

In the Senate, I’ll continue my avid support for laws that protect women, civil rights, and victims of hate-driven crime. I’ll press for the enactment of legislation such as the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act that provides assistance in fighting crime motivated by prejudice based on race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or disability.

That same kind of federal assistance to local law enforcement also is needed to prevent abuse and abduction of foster children. When a child is abducted and killed, three-quarters of the time the murder occurs within the first three hours. Quick action is therefore a matter of life and death. That’s why I authored legislation last year - The Foster Child Protection Act - to mandate that local law enforcement be notified within two hours of a foster child being reported missing. That way, local authorities can make a decision immediately as to whether an Amber Alert or other actions are necessary.

As Senator, I’ll continue the fight to prevent child abductions, to combat domestic violence and hate crimes, and to support our law enforcement by giving them the tools they need to do their duty and make Florida - and America - a safer place to live.