Wednesday, July 5, 2006; A12

Pre-kindergarten prepares children to succeed in school and cuts down on juvenile crime. That's two benefits for the price of one ["Coalition Wants City to Increase Pre-K Slots," Metro, June 20].

In 2004, nearly 350 youths were arrested in the District. Law enforcement leaders know that one of the best ways to fight crime is with quality pre-kindergarten programs.

Chicago's Child-Parent Centers have served almost 100,000 3- and 4-year-olds since 1967. Researchers tracked children in the program and similar children who did not participate and found that the children who did not participate were 70 percent more likely to be arrested for a violent crime before age 18.

As executive director of a national organization of police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors and violence survivors, I know that it is a lot cheaper to pay now for pre-kindergarten programs than to pay later to put kids in jail.

DAVID KASS

Executive Director

Fight Crime: Invest in Kids

Washington