General Negative Case

I. There is no need for a federal program.

II. A new federal program to reduce juvenile crime would be inconsistent with the modern approach to crime prevention, which requires decentralization of authority and giving cities the freedom and flexibility to adapt to local circumstances.

III. Federal anticrime programs, even when well-intentioned, often make things worse.

IV. Overall, the federal government, both legislatively and through the courts, is contributing to our crime problem.

V. Some of the most successful local programs involve clever ways of getting around federal government impediments to crime-fighting.

VI. By opening the door to a greater federal role, the affirmative plan would also open the door to unintended consequences that could make the crime rate worse.

VII. The federal government has done a miserable job - far worse than almost any city government - of fighting crime in the one city that is under its direct control.