IV 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 535 
Recognizing June 24th as Public Safety Awareness Day to promote citizen 
empowerment, effective law enforcement, community-based crime preven-
tion, and prudent public policy in support of safer neighborhoods nation-
wide. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 23, 2025 
Mr. OWENS submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on the Judiciary 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing June 24th as Public Safety Awareness Day to 
promote citizen empowerment, effective law enforcement, 
community-based crime prevention, and prudent public 
policy in support of safer neighborhoods nationwide. 
Whereas public safety is a foundational responsibility of gov-
ernment and a prerequisite for a thriving society; 
Whereas empowering citizens through education, resources, 
and self-advocacy builds stronger, more resilient commu-
nities; 
Whereas individuals and families affected by violent crime de-
serve access to robust support systems, including mental 
health services and victim assistance programs; 
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•HRES 535 IH 
Whereas community-centric safety strategies encourage civic 
engagement, reduce reliance on centralized bureaucracies, 
and reinforce personal and local responsibility; 
Whereas public safety is undermined by ideologically driven 
policies that defund or demoralize law enforcement and 
neglect the real consequences of unchecked criminal be-
havior; 
Whereas research has shown that the presence of well-trained 
and well-supported law enforcement officers reduces 
crime and enhances public trust in the justice system; 
Whereas effective safety strategies must focus on targeted, 
evidence-based interventions, such as ‘‘focused deter-
rence’’, which identifies high-risk individuals and offers 
pathways to change while holding repeat offenders ac-
countable; 
Whereas non-policing solutions—such as increased street 
lighting, revitalization of public spaces, and neighbor-
hood-based initiatives—contribute meaningfully to reduc-
ing crime and improving quality of life; 
Whereas prosecutorial failure to address quality-of-life of-
fenses has contributed to deteriorating property values, 
eroded trust in public institutions, and weakened the so-
cial fabric of communities; 
Whereas investing in mental health and substance abuse 
treatment alleviates unnecessary strain on police re-
sources and allows law enforcement to focus on serious 
threats to public safety; 
Whereas the prudent and transparent use of taxpayer re-
sources in support of law enforcement, crime prevention, 
and victim support reflects a government that is both re-
sponsible and responsive to its citizens; 
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•HRES 535 IH 
Whereas many of America’s inner cities continue to experi-
ence disproportionately high rates of violent crime, with 
homicides, shootings, and assaults often concentrated in 
underserved communities and driven by persistent cycles 
of poverty, underinvestment, and gang activity; 
Whereas residents of high-crime neighborhoods—often low-in-
come and majority-minority communities—face daily 
threats to their safety and well-being, undermining eco-
nomic opportunity, access to education, and overall qual-
ity of life while reinforcing systemic inequities; 
Whereas, in 2024, cities such as Philadelphia, Baltimore, St. 
Louis, New Orleans, and Chicago ranked among those 
with the highest per capita homicide rates in the nation, 
highlighting a national crisis that demands targeted, 
data-driven solutions and community-based interventions; 
Whereas Chicago recorded 617 homicides in 2023, leading 
the nation in total murders for the 12th consecutive year; 
Whereas this figure remains approximately 24 percent higher 
than the pre-pandemic total of 500 homicides in 2019; 
Whereas Chicago’s murder rate in 2023 was five times higher 
than that of New York City, despite New York having 
more than three times the population; and 
Whereas the concentration of violent crime in specific neigh-
borhoods underscores the need for targeted, community- 
based interventions to address public safety effectively: 
Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the goals and ideals of ‘‘Public 
Safety Awareness Day’’; 
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•HRES 535 IH 
(2) supports the empowerment of citizens and 
communities in shaping local public safety priorities; 
(3) commits to advancing policies that strength-
en law enforcement, uphold the Constitution, and re-
store accountability in government; 
(4) encourages public engagement, education, 
and reform efforts that support a safer, more secure 
America; and 
(5) affirms strong support for law enforcement 
officers across the nation, recognizing their essential 
role in maintaining public safety, and calls for ro-
bust resources, clear authority, and policy frame-
works that empower them to carry out their duties 
effectively and lawfully in securing communities and 
upholding justice. 
Æ 
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