Crime Stoppers kick off Cash for Guns program
Posted March 15, 2010 7:01 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – Toronto’s Cash for Guns program is aiming to take firearms out of the hands of bad guys by putting $500 into the hands of good guys.
Toronto Crime Stoppers officially launched its 2010 campaign, Monday, hoping to recover the dozens of firearms stolen in a recent residential robbery – and others.
The project, which started back in 2005 when 52 people were shot dead, urges people to call Crime Stoppers to report the whereabouts of firearms.
Tipsters who lead police to guns can collect a reward of up to $500.
Det. Darlene Ross is optimistic this year’s Cash for Guns can be even more successful than last year when anonymous tips led to the seizure of 53 firearms.
A poster advertising the latest campaign – which can be seen across the city, at Toronto Transit Commission stations, in schools and on YouTube- depicts a gun with the barrel pointing backward.
The slogan on the poster reads: “Use a gun and you are more likely to die from one.”
This year’s campaign comes just weeks after thieves stole 50 legally owned firearms during a burglary in downtown Toronto. It’s believed those weapons, mostly handguns, have already hit the streets.
Ross said people within the community often know who is armed in the neighbourhood.
“For those who know where (the guns) are, we are looking to you to call Crime Stoppers in the hopes that these firearms can be taken off the streets before another life is lost,” she said.
Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair said guns are becoming ever more prevalent.
Nearly 60 per cent of last year’s murders involved a firearm, Blair noted.
Police have “worked hard” to get guns off the street and to limit the access criminals have to firearms, the Chief said.
“But unfortunately one gun can create great tragedy in our communities,” Blair said.
