Justice Dept.'s Focus Has Shifted

The assistance has declined steadily, while violent crime rose 1.9 percent last year, following a 2.3 percent rise in 2005, FBI records show. Those two years saw the first steady increase in violent crime since 1993.

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Voegtlin, speaking of the federal assistance programs, said that "these are critical programs designed to target crime around the country that have either seen massive reductions or outright elimination under this administration. It's obviously not the only reason crime is going up, but it makes the job of law enforcement that much harder."

"This administration had its own view on the role of the federal government in fighting crime at the local level, and it's one we often don't agree with," Voegtlin said.

Mueller, in his Monday speech, suggested that while terrorism will remain the FBI's top priority, "we can provide help on the criminal side."

"Some of you may have less daily contact with FBI agents on drug cases, bank robberies and smaller white-collar criminal cases," Mueller told the police chiefs. "You may have asked of us at one time or another, 'Where are you?' Let me assure you: We are with you. Our emphasis has changed, but we still understand the impact of violent crime."

Staff writer Spencer S. Hsu, staff researcher Madonna Lebling and database editor Sarah Cohen contributed to this report.