KENNEDY PROPOSES CRIME PROGRAM

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Edward Kennedy is trying to revive efforts to
channel federal money into crime prevention for youths, four years after
``midnight basketball'' became a buzzword for Republican critics of such
prevention efforts.

Kennedy's legislation, introduced Monday, would spend $7.25 billion over
five years on after-school programs. The aim is to keep youths occupied --
and away from trouble -- between the crucial hours of 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

``It's not `Leave It To Beaver' anymore, June is not in the kitchen,'' said
Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., who is sponsoring a companion measure in the
House. ``Children need some help.''

One component of the ``American After-School Act'' would provide $1.25
billion over five years in matching grants to local public and private
agencies for after-school prevention programs in high-crime neighborhoods
and areas with high numbers of youths considered at risk for committing
crimes.

To fund the grants this year, Kennedy's bill would direct that half of $500
million already approved by Congress for juvenile justice law enforcement
could be used for prevention activities.

Kennedy said that proposal has met with resistance from Republicans on the
Judiciary Committee, chaired by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.

``There will be a battle on the floor of the U.S. Senate,'' he said.

Jeanne Lopatto, spokeswoman for the committee, said juvenile justice
legislation now pending in committee already includes $1 billion over five
years that state and local governments could use for prevention.

``It can be used for anything,'' Lopatto said. ``We feel that's the best
way to go.''

Kennedy, who estimated that 5 million children -- some as young as 8 or 9
- -- spend some time alone after school, favors linking federal funds more
directly to crime prevention efforts.

Crime prevention programs are a Democratic priority often denigrated by
Republicans, who undermined them after taking over Congress in 1995. Most
prevention programs have been eliminated in favor of providing block grants
with few strings attached to local communities.

Although the 1994 crime law, which spawned debate over the effectiveness of
midnight basketball leagues and other efforts targeting at-risk youths,
authorized $6.9 billion for crime prevention, only $688 million has been
spent.

Kennedy's bill would also provide $5 billion over five years to expand
state block grants to increase the availability and affordability of
before- and after-school care for school-age children, and for weekend and
summer activities. Kennedy has suggested funding this through a tobacco tax
or by reducing corporate tax breaks.

Another $1 billion over five years would go toward helping public schools
expand before- and after-school programs, such as by improving access to
their libraries, gymnasiums and computer laboratories. This program is
included in President Clinton's balanced budget proposal for 1999.

Kennedy and Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., a co-sponsor, hope Congress takes a
cue from Boston, where the city police department has developed a
nationally renowned program for preventing juvenile crime.

The city went 29 months without a juvenile murder before Dec. 11, 1997,
when 16-year-old Eric Paulding was shot to death in the city's Dorchester
section.

Copyright 1998 Associated Press.