Police officials expected at least 500 guns to be turned in city-wide. What I saw in Rogers Park was stunning. They turned in sawed off shot guns. They turned in hand guns. They turned in rifles and they turned in pistols. Big guns and small, including the bullets. Believe me, these were not piece of crap guns that didn't work. These were the real deal. These were guns that kill.
On Saturday, the West Ridge Community Methodist Church at 2301 West Lunt took in over 100 guns by 2:30 pm. 106 to be exact. As I was visiting the amazing array of firepower that was taken off the streets and now lying on a couple of church tables, two more guns were brought in.
There are no limits per individual gun turn-in. The program began at 10 a.m. and ends in an hour, at 4 p.m. If someone arrives a few minutes later, there "may be a grace period of five minutes," said a spokesperson. In return, the person dropping off the gun gets a $100 gift card.
Blognotes:
* The Clergy for Safer Streets and the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy were responsible for the city's first-ever "Don't Kill A Dream, Save A Life" event in response to the deaths of 10-year-old Siretha White and 14-year-old Starkesia Reed of Englewood last month.
* Rev. Ernest Singh of West Ridge Community Methodist Church was our designated north side church pastor who participated in the program.
Update #1:
Earning his $57,000 a year salary, CAPS Belmont Area co-ordinator Glen Brooks told Medill News Service "The goal of the program is to get weapons off the street and encompass all areas of Chicago, from the very tip of the North Side to very tip of the South Side." At last count, over 2500 guns were turned in at 23 different churches.
Update #2:
Channel 2 with video.
1 comment:
I humbly believe naysayers and cynics should think twice before spouting off. If even one life is saved, one less person maimed or paralyzed but any program at all, it is worth the effort and price. Human life is what is priceless. Bravo to our Alderman and others for dramatically improving our beautiful Rogers Park in recent years. It is now a blossoming & desirable community once again due to all kinds of concerted efforts from many parties, and I believe everyone is safer and everyone's property value has dramatically improved and on and on and on.......
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