Trump, Reno speak on campus: Reno puts her focus on crime

The attorney general called on local business leaders to hep combat urban ills. Calling on local business leaders to "make an investment in the most precious resource we have, our communities," U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno addressed a large crowd at the Inn at Penn yesterday morning during a symposium entitled "Corporate-Community Coalitions for Public Safety: The role of business in building and sustaining safe communities." Organized by Penn's Fels Center of Government and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice, the symposium drew local business and civic leaders -- along with some top University officials -- together for a discussion on fighting crime in urban neighborhoods. More than 200 business executives -- including PNC Bank President Richard Smoot and Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce President Charles Pizzi -- participated in the event. The conference was also attended by about 50 students, both Fels graduate students and Penn undergraduates. "The strength of America lies in its people, and we have got to reinvest in them," said Reno, who has served a stormy seven-year tenure at the Justice Department. "We cannot become complacent for there is still too much violence in this land." Reno, who has appeared on campus twice before, was the symposium's keynote speaker. Other area leaders -- including Philadelphia Police Commissioner John Timoney, U.S. Attorney Michael Stiles and University President Judith Rodin -- joined the attorney general in praising local programs that have successfully cut crime. Mayor-elect John Street also appeared briefly, though he did not speak. Penn was commended numerous times by the panelists for its efforts to develop relationships with West Philadelphia neighborhoods. "Public safety is the public's business," Rodin said as she talked about the University's work in West Philadelphia. "We're working closely with our community partners and we are committed to making even greater strides on these fronts." During her brief speech, Rodin talked about the University's efforts to create a pre-K-8 public school, the development of the University City District and various other Penn initiatives in its surrounding community. And Reno praised the University and Philadelphia for their work in neighborhoods across the city "If we build on our success, if we build on the examples I've seen here in Philadelphia, we can truly make a difference," Reno added. "I am determined to build on these successes and do whatever necessary to bring the spirit of Philadelphia to every community in the nation." Fels Center Director Lawrence Sherman moderated the approximately two-hour discussion. "I was delighted with all of the good ideas and enthusiasm that surfaced today," said Sherman, a noted criminologist who also serves as a senior adviser to Timoney. He added that "maybe the most important part of today was to see Mayor-elect Street here. For him to endorse this effort is obviously key. " Street, who has repeatedly stressed that one of his key concerns as mayor will be neighborhood development, did not participate in the formal discussion yesterday. But after the event he voiced his support for Philadelphia's many community initiatives. "We're always proud when people around the country recognize our great work here in this city," said Street, who will take office in January. "But we also know that we can never be fully satisfied. We have to keep working so we don't fall behind." Students responded positively to the symposium, saying they learned about community development at Penn and across Philadelphia. "It was really good to see Janet Reno here, but I think the best part of the session was getting an overview of what Penn is doing in the neighborhood," Wharton sophomore Scott Wilson said. "I think it was very interesting," added Neal Rosenberg, also a Wharton sophomore. "The whole discussion provided a sound basis with which we can begin to rebuild our cities."