Program Ends, Message of Peace Continues

Today, Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Acting Commissioner Al Goslin, in conjunction with the Boston Police Department and numerous community and faith-based organizations, is pleased to announce that the 2006 Boston Gun Buyback “Aim For Peace” was a major success. “Aim For Peace” has taken 1,000 firearms off the streets of Boston.
“The gun buyback program exceeded our expectations,” Mayor Menino said. “The citizens of Boston stood together and sent a loud message to criminals: We are not going to allow our streets to be overrun with violence and fear.”
The gun buyback asked city residents to “Aim For Peace” and trade in a gun for a $200.00 Target ® gift card. This program took place from June 12th through July 14th. Firearms were accepted at various designated drop-off sites citywide Monday through Friday from noon to 7:00 PM. Drop-off locations included every district police station and eight additional community sites.
The gun buyback program was a proactive approach to reduce gun violence and signifies a movement to inspire a change in attitude and behavior. This “no questions asked” initiative took 1,000 guns off the streets and sent a clear message that encouraging young people to reject a life of crime and violence and embrace a life of personal responsibility, hope and peace.
“We are so pleased that the gun buyback message resonated with the community. We have numerous anecdotes that demonstrate that this program inspired individuals that we were seeking to reach with our unified message of peace,” commented Reverend Shawn Harrison, Youth in Crisis Ministry, “However our work does not end here. We will continue to spread this message throughout the community to put an end this senseless gun violence.”
The hotline, 1-888-GUNTIPS, will remain active for the next several weeks for neighbors who wish to provide information related to criminal activity or can provide information leading to the whereabouts of a “community” firearm.
“The Boston Police Department is working tirelessly to quell gun violence on the streets of Boston,” stated Boston Police Acting Commissioner Albert E. Goslin, “But the police department cannot accomplish this alone. We encourage the community to move forward with the same community spirit and camaraderie demonstrated during the ‘Aim For Peace’ program and together we will reduce violent crime.”
As this program comes to a close, program coordinators would like to extend their deepest gratitude to all those who contributed to the programs success:
Community partners include: Target Corporation, Project RIGHT Inc., Boston Ten Point Coalition, Hyde Square Task Force, Katherine Mainzer-Bella Luna Restaurant, Lewis S. Dabney-Million Mom March, Bowdoin Street Health Center, Quincy Geneva Housing Corporation, Boston Center for Youth and Families, Dorchester Youth Collaborative, St. Catherine Rectory, Charlie Rose-City Year, Urban Youth in Leadership Program, Urban Edge, Hope Church, Ella J. Baker House, Mass Communities Action Network, Roxbury Multi-Service Center, Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation, WinnResidential, Grove Hall Youth Workers Alliance, Michael Patrick MacDonald, United Church of Christ, Church of Scientology, Sandler Lacoste-Boogs Wear, Inc, Boston Housing Authority, City Links, Youth in Crisis Ministry, Inc, Streetworker Program, WFXT Fox 25, the Boston Herald, Community Newspaper Company, WILD 1090 AM, the Bulletin Newspapers, ClearChannel, the MBTA, the Dorchester Reporter, the Mattapan Reporter, the Charlestown Bridge, Boston Red Sox Foundation, Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation, City of Boston Credit Union

Program Ends, Message of Peace Continues

Today, Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Acting Commissioner Al Goslin, in conjunction with the Boston Police Department and numerous community and faith-based organizations, is pleased to announce that the 2006 Boston Gun Buyback “Aim For Peace” was a major success. “Aim For Peace” has taken 1,000 firearms off the streets of Boston.
“The gun buyback program exceeded our expectations,” Mayor Menino said. “The citizens of Boston stood together and sent a loud message to criminals: We are not going to allow our streets to be overrun with violence and fear.”
The gun buyback asked city residents to “Aim For Peace” and trade in a gun for a $200.00 Target ® gift card. This program took place from June 12th through July 14th. Firearms were accepted at various designated drop-off sites citywide Monday through Friday from noon to 7:00 PM. Drop-off locations included every district police station and eight additional community sites.
The gun buyback program was a proactive approach to reduce gun violence and signifies a movement to inspire a change in attitude and behavior. This “no questions asked” initiative took 1,000 guns off the streets and sent a clear message that encouraging young people to reject a life of crime and violence and embrace a life of personal responsibility, hope and peace.
“We are so pleased that the gun buyback message resonated with the community. We have numerous anecdotes that demonstrate that this program inspired individuals that we were seeking to reach with our unified message of peace,” commented Reverend Shawn Harrison, Youth in Crisis Ministry, “However our work does not end here. We will continue to spread this message throughout the community to put an end this senseless gun violence.”
The hotline, 1-888-GUNTIPS, will remain active for the next several weeks for neighbors who wish to provide information related to criminal activity or can provide information leading to the whereabouts of a “community” firearm.
“The Boston Police Department is working tirelessly to quell gun violence on the streets of Boston,” stated Boston Police Acting Commissioner Albert E. Goslin, “But the police department cannot accomplish this alone. We encourage the community to move forward with the same community spirit and camaraderie demonstrated during the ‘Aim For Peace’ program and together we will reduce violent crime.”
As this program comes to a close, program coordinators would like to extend their deepest gratitude to all those who contributed to the programs success:
Community partners include: Target Corporation, Project RIGHT Inc., Boston Ten Point Coalition, Hyde Square Task Force, Katherine Mainzer-Bella Luna Restaurant, Lewis S. Dabney-Million Mom March, Bowdoin Street Health Center, Quincy Geneva Housing Corporation, Boston Center for Youth and Families, Dorchester Youth Collaborative, St. Catherine Rectory, Charlie Rose-City Year, Urban Youth in Leadership Program, Urban Edge, Hope Church, Ella J. Baker House, Mass Communities Action Network, Roxbury Multi-Service Center, Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation, WinnResidential, Grove Hall Youth Workers Alliance, Michael Patrick MacDonald, United Church of Christ, Church of Scientology, Sandler Lacoste-Boogs Wear, Inc, Boston Housing Authority, City Links, Youth in Crisis Ministry, Inc, Streetworker Program, WFXT Fox 25, the Boston Herald, Community Newspaper Company, WILD 1090 AM, the Bulletin Newspapers, ClearChannel, the MBTA, the Dorchester Reporter, the Mattapan Reporter, the Charlestown Bridge, Boston Red Sox Foundation, Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation, City of Boston Credit Union