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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2002
PR-080-02
www.nyc.gov


MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND POLICE COMMISSIONER RAYMOND W. KELLY DOUBLE REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO ARRESTS FOR ILLEGAL GUNS


Operation Gun-Stop Reward Increases to $1,000 and is Available within 72 Hours of Arrest


Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly today announced that Operation Gun-Stop is increasing the cash reward to private citizens who anonymously provide the NYPD with information leading to an arrest for the possession or sale of illegal guns, doubling the amount from $500 to $1,000, and making the payment available within 72 hours of the arrest. Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Kelly announced the public safety initiative at One Police Plaza.

"By getting more guns off the streets, we can reduce violent crimes and keep New York the safest large City in the country," Mayor Bloomberg said. "We must remain vigilant and never let our guard down even as crime continues to decline. And as we continue our aggressive assault on crime, we must create and implement new, creative, and effective ways to combat illegal firearms and criminals."

"Handguns are the weapons of choice for criminals," Commissioner Kelly said. "They are relatively cheap, easy to conceal, and deadly. We expect this invigorated Gun-Stop program to help us do one thing - get illegal guns off the street."

Launched in January 2001, Operation Gun-Stop was created to encourage members of the public to participate in the NYPD's efforts to combat the illegal possession and sale of guns. To facilitate reporting by the public, the NYPD created a toll-free, 24-hour/7-day hotline for individuals to call with information relating to the possession or sale of illegal firearms. Upon calling with such information, individuals are provided with a confidential identification number, which callers may later use to provide additional information, check on the status of information previously provided, or claim a reward. Since the inception of Operation Gun-Stop, the NYPD has received 574 tips, resulting in 288 arrests and the recovery of 133 illegal guns. To report information concerning the possession or sale of illegal guns, please call 1-866-GUN-STOP or
1-866-486-7867.

www.nyc.gov

Contact: Edward Skyler / Jerry Russo
(212) 788-2958
Michael O'Looney (NYPD)
(646) 610-6700