New Jersey Law Enforcement: Pre-K Cuts Crime
Dec 9th 2008
Trenton, N.J. -- Trenton Police Director Irving Bradley, Jr., Mercer County Sheriff Kevin Larkin, Newark Deputy Chief Anthony Perillo, Hunterdon County Undersheriff John Maloney, and Monmouth County Undersheriff Clifford Daniels held a news conference at the Millhill Child & Family Development Corporation today to unveil a new report showing the connection between high-quality early education and crime and violence.
“Passing up the chance to invest in quality pre-kindergarten is public policy malpractice,” said Trenton Director Bradley. “We know it gets children ready for school, helps them succeed, and makes it more likely they will graduate; and we know that graduation is one of the keys to success and staying away from crime.”
The research report from Fight Crime: Invest in Kids found that providing high-quality early childhood education would have a significant impact in reducing crime in the state. At age 40, those left out of the Perry Preschool Program were twice as likely to be arrested for violent crimes, four times more likely to be arrested for drug felonies, and seven times more likely to be arrested for possession of dangerous drugs than those who attended the program.
“We all see the headlines about the faltering economy and we know that this is a tough time to be calling for increased public investments,” said Mercer County Sheriff Larkin. “But we’re being penny-wise and pound-foolish if we don’t make the investment now to make sure that all kids have access to quality pre-kindergarten. That’s the best way we can assure that more kids stay out of the back of our squad cars.”
Research shows that quality early childhood education for at-risk kids saves $16 for every $1 invested. Although New Jersey is a leader in providing high-quality pre-kindergarten, 76 percent of children who would benefit are still not enrolled in publicly funded programs.
“It is imperative that we give all of our children every possible chance to thrive and succeed,” noted Newark Deputy Chief Perillo. “The best way to do this is by ensuring they get the best possible education, starting with early childhood education and moving through the entire school system.”
The law enforcement leaders called on Gov. Corzine, the state legislature and New Jersey’s Congressional delegation to increase funding for the state’s pre-kindergarten program and the federally funded Head Start program.
“This is simple: we pay now or we pay later,” said Hunterdon County Undersheriff Malone. “We invest in pre-kindergarten and quality early care for our at-risk kids now, or we pay later as kids take over the streets, and end up in our jails.”
The New Jersey law enforcement leaders are members of FIGHT CRIME: INVEST IN KIDS, a national anti-crime organization of more than 4,500 police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors, other law enforcement leaders and violence survivors, including 45 in New Jersey.
In closing, Monmouth County Undersheriff Daniels said, “Let’s not drop the ball on America’s dropout crisis. The answer is simple: quality early education investments increase graduation rates and cut crime.”
In addition to talking to members of the media, the Law Enforcement leaders spent time with the children at the center, taking time to read and interact with the children.
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