Clinton proposes $4 billion anti-crime program

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton will propose a $4 billion anti-crime program that would fund 100,000 new police officers for communities across the nation and give grants for innovations in probation programs to shut the "revolving door" to prison.

The Democratic presidential candidate plans to unveil the sweeping proposal today during a campaign visit to Philadelphia, one of many cities experiencing an increase in homicides; an outline of the program was obtained by The Inquirer.

Clinton's COPS 2.0 program to put officers on the streets – a revival of a similar program enacted under President Bill Clinton but since eliminated – would also provide technology and training to help the new police target crime "hot spots."

Her plan also calls for increasing diversion programs, such as specialty drug courts and stepped-up treatment of mental illness to keep non-violent offenders out of prison if possible and education and work requirements for prisoners to help ease the transition back to society upon parole.

The programs would be funded by eliminating corporate tax breaks to be identified by a special commission.