If I recall, this was not about deterring crime. It was about code enforcement. Revenue generation.
It was about deterring crime. The crime bill was the result of a negotiation between congress, the senate (Biden), and the Clinton White House if memory serves. It was a bi-partisan bill.
It included the Assault Weapons Ban and it greatly increased funds for prevention programs such as D.A.R.E.
A half dozen cops in my city were hired with funds from the crime bill and there were other officers at surrounding agencies.
It was about putting cops on the street. It had nothing directly to do with “revenue” as you say and certainly not code enforcement. It even provided an incentive to hire military veterans as cops - my buddy was hired as one after taking a 15 year retirement from Army that gave him credit for 20 year retirement (Clinton drawdown) after he served 5 years as a cop.
The Assault Weapons Ban was one of the main reasons the GOP flipped the house in the next election and Gingrich became speaker.
It was also about campaigning. I remember candidates trying out add more cops. Interesting how things change over time.