The Justice Department’s Violent Crime Reduction Steering Committee convened last week to evaluate efforts, challenges, and successes in reducing violent crime. The committee is chaired by Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General (PADAG) Marshall Miller and includes leadership and representatives from various divisions within the Department.
After PADAG Miller initiated the meeting, members were briefed on recent violent-crime statistics. Preliminary data from 88 cities indicated a significant decline in violent crime in 2024, with murder rates down by 16.9%, rape by 7.5%, aggravated assault by 3.4%, and robbery by 5.2%.
U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger for the District of Minnesota provided updates on initiatives implemented during the summer months to address historically higher rates of violent crime. These initiatives included increased outreach and intervention activities, weekly coordination with local law enforcement to identify key perpetrators for federal prosecution, surges in federal firearms prosecutions, a focus on prosecuting possession or use of machinegun conversion devices, establishment of carjacking task forces, and collaborations with the Department’s Criminal Division under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Early data showed positive outcomes such as further reductions in homicides in Detroit and elimination of carjackings in the Eastern District of Texas during summer 2024.
Briefings were also provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Marshals Service regarding their operations—Operation Overdrive and Operation North Star respectively—aimed at combating violent crime over the summer. Additionally, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives discussed efforts with the additive manufacturing industry to reduce unlawful machinegun conversion devices.
The Department’s grantmaking components reported on grants and resources allocated to combat violent crime. The Office of Justice Programs highlighted its use of grants, training, and technical assistance for state, local, and Tribal justice agencies to meet public safety needs. The Office on Violence Against Women previewed plans for observing the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act while discussing its work related to firearms and domestic violence along with resources for prosecutors dealing with sexual assault & domestic violence cases involving adult victims.
Finally, Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Miller addressed a new directive from the Deputy Attorney General focused on combating machinegun conversion devices. He noted that developments from these initiatives would be reported to Department leadership along with recommendations for additional policy and enforcement strategies.