POUGHKEEPSIE – The City of Poughkeepsie Police are teaming up with State Attorney General Letitia “Tish” James to conduct a gun buyback event on June 26. The Poughkeepsie event follows a successful gun buyback program held in Kingston recently.
City police will join with representatives from the Attorney General’s Office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to exchange gift cards and iPads for firearms. The event is being held at the Beulah Baptist Church on Catharine Street.
The program, in operation since 2013, is designed to remove potentially deadly weapons off the streets throughout New York. Individuals can turn in guns, with no questions asked, and receive a pre-paid gift card as compensation for turning in the weapon. The program is entirely funded through criminal forfeiture proceeds that were seized from drug and gun traffickers by the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force.
The timing of the joint-effort event has received the endorsement of Poughkeepsie Police Chief Tom Pape. “Our city has been subjected to several instances of gun violence and our officers are appreciative of the Attorney General’s efforts to take deadly weapons off the streets.”
James has enlisted the help of one of the most influential members of the community; Beulah Baptist Church’s Reverend Jesse Bottoms. Bottoms, a well-respected figure in the city, is hosting the event at the church he leads. “I can’t thank Reverend Bottoms enough for his continued support of our efforts,” said Pape. “To have the support of community leaders like Pastor Bottoms, helps all of us,” said Pape.
Individuals can turn in guns at the event without disclosing where they came from. Individuals can swap guns for money, with the reward increasing depending on the weapon.
$25.00 for non-working or antique firearms
$75.00 for rifles and shotguns
$150.00 for Handguns
$250.00 for Assault Rifles
City of Poughkeepsie PBA President Kevin Van Wagner said, “The men and women of our department are glad to partner with everyone who can help us remove potentially deadly weapons from the streets. Chief Pape and our officers will work with the community to keep the city safe.”
