Friday, August 13, 1999
Use of gun would deny bail
Winburn to urge program for city
BY TANYA BRICKING
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Fear packaged like potato chips in ad campaigns aimed at criminals could be the next wave in fighting gun crimes if Cincinnati adopts a program similar to one in Richmond, Va.
City buses there are emblazoned with the slogan: An illegal gun gets you five years in federal prison.
The U.S. attorney's office in Richmond calls it smart marketing for a program that uses federal laws to deny bail to gun offenders.
“It has changed criminal behavior,” said James Comey, Richmond's executive assistant U.S. attorney. “Word from the criminal element as well as the routine patrol is that we're not seeing guns.”
Cincinnati City Councilman Charlie Winburn is sold on the idea that the program works, so he will propose today that Cincinnati start its own “Project Exile,” which has a task force that involves local and federal investigators.
“It's another way to go after criminals with guns,” Mr. Winburn said. “We could add real teeth to federal gun laws.”
Richmond started its task force two years ago, when its homicide rate was second only to that of Gary, Ind.
While serious crime dropped seven percent nationwide last year, it dropped 33 percent in Richmond. Mr. Comey credits the sharp decrease to the aggressive anti-gun campaign. So far this year, violent crime has dropped 20 percent in Richmond.
Project Exile has the support of two unlikely allies: Handgun Control Inc. and the National Rifle Association (NRA).
“It's kind of a no-brainer,” said former Cincinnati Police Lt. Harry Thomas, a member of the NRA board of directors. “It will put people in federal prisons, and it will keep them farther away from victims.”
Handgun Control also gives Project Exile the green light but pushes for even more.
“They are sort of a one-trick pony,” David Bernstein, a Handgun Control spokesman in Washington, D.C., said of the project. “That's the only solution they offer. I think we can do more.”
He suggests more restrictions, such as limits on gun purchases at gun shows.
Nationwide, some federal judges are against Project Exile, saying it puts too much of the burden on federal courts instead of local law enforcement.
But President Clinton has touted the program, and cities including Atlanta, New Orleans, Philadelphia and San Francisco have adopted it.
As long as it keeps people from illegally packing pistols, Mr. Winburn wants the program here. He will present the idea to City Council today.
It asks for City Council to direct City Manager John Shirey to help establish a federal, state and local task force to prosecute armed felons and report back to council by Oct. 1.
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