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Crime & Safety

Gun Buyback Program to Include Palo Alto

A gun buyback program will take place this month, covering the cities of Palo Alto, East Palo Alto and Menlo Park.

 

If you have a gun in your home that you no longer want, a local non-profit will pay you cash to take it off your hands.

The newly formed Protect Our Children Bay Area Inc. is partnering with the police departments of Palo Alto, East Palo Alto and Menlo Park for a buyback program later this month.

Find out what's happening in Palo Altowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“The idea was inspired by the massacre in Newtown,” said Roger Lee, founder of Protect Our Children and a Silicon Valley investor. “As a Palo Alto parent with three young children, I was completely shocked with what transpired and I struggled with how to respond. Ultimately, I concluded that there was very little I could do to help the families impacted. However, I could honor the children we lost by trying to prevent a similar massacre from happening in my hometown of Palo Alto,”

The three cities participating in the buyback are part of Operation SMART (Strategic Multi-Agency Response Team), a collaborative effort of the police departments of in the three cities that was launched in November 2011 to address gang violence.

Find out what's happening in Palo Altowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

East Palo Alto and Menlo Park have been hit hard by a gang war, with shootings frequent and brazen. 

During the buyback, residents will receive $100 for a handgun, $200 for a rifle or shotgun, and $300 for an assault weapon. The weapons will be taken in anonymously—no names or license plates will be recorded.

“It makes sense for our three communities to pool our resources and come together around an event like this,” said Chief Dennis Burns of the Palo Alto Police Department. “It will benefit all of us. We very much appreciate the efforts of Protect Our Children, Inc. to enable us all to host this important community event.”

“Our hope is that the removal of guns from the public will help curb accidental shootings, suicides and homicides, especially in homes,” said Lee.

Three City Gun Buyback

Where: East Palo Alto City Hall, 2415 University Ave., East Palo Alto 94303

When: February 23, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m

 

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