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Push To Keep Child Tax Credit

Law enforcement officials are supporting an extension of federal child tax credits for struggling working families.

Law enforcement leaders from Auburn Hills, Macomb County Community College in Southfield, joined Kathy Pelleran of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, Michigan, Thursday, in talking about how reducing poverty helps reduce crime.

"The children who had families with increased revenues actually did have less direct reports with law enforcement,"  Pelleran said.

Pelleran refered to a newly released report on child poverty and crime, showing that children of low-income families have a 2 and 1/2 times greater risk of  becoming  involved in criminal activity. 

In pushing for continuation of the child tax credit for low-income families, local law enforcement point to the link between poverty and crime. 

 'There is a strong correlation between lack of funding for education and a lack of education and an increase in crime. And this is why this tax is so important to us in law enforcement."  Southfield Police Chief Joseph Thomas, Jr., told WWJ's Pat Sweeting.

Michigan residents are being urged to lobby their congress members to keep the child tax credit, which is set to expire this year.

IRS: 10 Facts about the Child Tax Credit

 (Copyright 2010 WWJ Radio.  All Rights Reserved.)

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