KTLA News
November 29, 2008
COMPTON -- In an effort to
make the city of Compton a safer place, authorities on Saturday gave
$100 gift cards to people who turned in firearms and $200 gift cards
for assault weapons.
The fourth annual "Gifts for Guns" event
was held at a Ralphs supermarket at 280 E. Compton Blvd., where the
weapons were collected by sheriff's personnel and volunteers at a booth
set up in the parking lot.
The booth will be set up again Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
"We're trying to rid our city of guns being shot, people being killed," said City Councilwoman Barbara Calhoun.
People who turned in guns were not asked to identify themselves or say where the weapons came from, said Sgt. Byron Woods.
Organizers
said people have turned in about 1,500 guns over the last three years.
The first year was the biggest in terms of the number of guns turned
in, they said, adding that it continues to be a very successful program.
Authorities
perform a ballistics test in a crime lab on each gun collected. In past
years, they have discovered upon processing the collected guns that
some have been involved in crimes. In those cases, the weapon is turned
over to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
The gift cards they received can be redeemed at Best Buy, Target, Home Depot and Ralphs Supermarkets.
No comments:
Post a Comment