NEW BEDFORD — City and police officials are highlighting their efforts to cut down on gun violence this summer by offering free pizzas in exchange for illegal and unwanted firearms.
During a press conference Wednesday at police headquarters, Mayor Scott W. Lang, Police Chief Ronald E. Teachman, Bristol County District Attorney C. Samuel Sutter and others announced the "New Bedford Gun Safety Exchange," an amnesty program that promises anyone donating a firearm, legal or illegal, a $35 gift certificate for Domino's Pizza, a program cosponsor.
Officials said the exchange program, which will run Friday through Sunday out of a city-owned van in Buttonwood Park, is meant to reduce the chances of the donated guns being used in crimes. A similar program two years ago netted 42 firearms.
"This is a chance to get guns that are not properly secured or unwanted from becoming community guns," said Chief Teachman, referring to hidden firearms used in multiple crimes.
Officials do not expect hardened gang members and drug dealers to turn in their firearms for pizza but believe the exchange program can reinforce a new zero-tolerance approach to prosecuting illegal guns in New Bedford.
"I'm hoping the individuals out there who have illegal firearms take notice and become afraid to carry a firearm because of the crackdown going on," said Mr. Sutter, whose office has used the state's dangerousness statute to prosecute gun crimes. Since January, the Bristol County District Attorney's Office has successfully argued 26 of 31 dangerousness hearings involving defendants charged with using illegal guns in felony cases.
Gun violence and the number of guns seized this year are down from a year ago, according to the city's recent crime statistics. In the first five months of 2007, there were 14 reports of shots fired, with one victim and no murders. During the same period in 2006 there were 37 reported shootings, 14 shooting victims and two murders.
"This is the first time a gun safety exchange is not following on the heels of a tragedy but instead comes at a time when the community is showing great success with fighting guns," said Nelson Hockert-Lotz, owner of the local Domino's Pizza franchises.
Gun violence, particularly murder, usually rises during the summer. In response, police are planning strategic patrols this summer in firearm-violence hot spots throughout the city, said Deputy Chief David A. Provencher. He said police are also using grant money for re-entry panels that counsel incarcerated gang members prior to their release from prison.
"We're giving them the message that if they associate or take part in violent activity, then we will pull any lever we can to get them off the streets," he said.
"The climate we want to have is one where if you think about going out on the street carrying a weapon, it is very likely the police will engage you at some point."
Police are offering amnesty to anyone turning in illegal guns and ammunition during the exchange program, which will run Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Prior to exchanging a firearm, participants are asked to notify the New Bedford Police Department at (50 991-6307. All firearms should be unloaded. A police officer on site will collect the weapon from the participant's vehicle.
All types of firearms will be accepted, and no participant will be required to give his or her name. Police will also collect weapons from participants' homes who decline to appear at the Buttonwood Park exchange location on Rockdale Avenue.
Brilliant! Maybe if I turn in an cannon shell I'll get a free ham!
Posted by: BrickCop
You also get 5 mozarella sticks for every box of ammo.
Posted by: SOT
What about pellet guns?
Do you get pizza poppers for those?
Posted by: NewEngland2007
Hope there aren't any trans fats in that pizza.
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991-6307. All firearms should be unloaded. A police officer on site will collect the weapon from the participant's vehicle.
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