The National Police Association Endorses the Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Releasing criminal suspects pre-trial without the safeguards provided by cash bail serves no valid purpose, and in fact only rewards lawlessness. These cashless bail policies have driven a violent crime surge that is claiming innocent victims and destroying communities. The Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act (S. 2705 / H.R. 5213), introduced in the U.S. Senate by Sen. Marsha Blackburn (TN) and in the House by Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY-21), would help put an end to this madness. This bill, endorsed by the National Police Association (NPA), prohibits funds from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program from being distributed to state and local governments that limit or prohibit cash bail. The text for the Senate bill is here, and the House bill is here.

Specifically, the Attorney General would be prohibited from awarding JAG grants to jurisdictions that restrict cash bail for suspects charged with offenses that place the citizenry in imminent danger. Violent offenses like murder, rape, and carjacking would be covered under this bill, as would public disorder offenses like looting and rioting.  

The Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act codifies two Executive Orders that President Trump signed to protect law-abiding citizens from the devastation of cashless bail policies.

"Police officers are fulfilling their constitutional obligations. They're conducting investigations, making arrests, and placing their own lives at risk to remove the worst offenders from our streets. Cashless bail policies undermine this lifesaving work while emboldening criminal offenders and placing all of us at risk," said Paula Fitzsimmons, Legislative Director, National Police Association. "By risking the loss of coveted JAG grant funding, the Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act would compel prosecutors and judges to use cash bail to keep violent offenders off our streets," Fitzsimmons added.

The NPA extends its gratitude to Sen. Blackburn and Rep. Stefanik for introducing the Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act. We believe this bill will save lives, help restore trust in the justice system, and enable police agencies to utilize their resources more effectively. We encourage Congress to prioritize this bill.

To support this and future anti-crime, pro-police legislation, join the NPA's Call to Action team. Receive email alerts on bills, including which lawmakers to contact.

About: The National Police Association (NPA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting law enforcement through advocacy, education, and the courts. For more information, visit NationalPolice.org.

Media Contact:
Paula Fitzsimmons
302-469-1765
[email protected]

SOURCE The National Police Association