2006 Boston Gun Buyback

"Behind the guns, many stories"

Boston Globe, City Weekly section, 7/23/2006

"Tragedy, danger spurred people to turn them in"

Read the article here.

Buyback collects 1,000 firearms!

“AIM FOR PEACE” PROGRAM COLLECTS 1,000 FIREARMS!

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 Ways of the Gun"

"Massachusetts has some of the country’s toughest gun laws. So why is Boston flooded with firearms? The answer lies with the city’s thriving black market for illegal weapons, where the law that matters most is the ruthless logic of supply and demand."

Read the article from Boston Magazine's May 2006 issue.
They also have some exclusive stats showing where 2004 & 2005 guns were traced to.

Gun Buyback comes to an end

(Editor's Note: this blog will stay running indefinitely as a way for volunteers, activists and the community to continue working on the issues of guns and youth violence.)

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"AIM FOR PEACE” BUYBACK PROGRAM COMES TO AN END

MESSAGE OF PEACE CONTINUES
Program Exceeds Expectations, Unites Community in Gun Violence Reduction Efforts

Friday, July 14th marks the final day of the 2006 Boston Gun Buyback “Aim For Peace”. As of today, the program has netted over 700 firearms. With one final day remaining, individuals seeking to participate are urged to do so before 7:00pm on Friday.

The hotline, 1-888-GUNTIPS, will remain active for the next several weeks for community members who wish to provide information related to criminal activity or can provide information leading to the whereabouts of a “community” firearm.

Detective Ernesto “Tito” Whittington

Ernesto Whittington
By Bostonherald.com staff
Thursday, July 13, 2006 - Updated: 08:11 AM EST

Detective Ernesto “Tito” Whittington of Roxbury, formerly of Brooklyn and the Republic of Panama, a decorated 22-year veteran of the Boston Police Department, died Saturday at Massachusetts General Hospital from complications following a second liver transplant. He was 51.

The Boston Buyback is part of Red Sox Nation!

Official Press Release
7/1/2006

City’s Gun Buyback Program Gets Major Boost by Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox today joined Mayor Thomas M. Menino to announce a $25,000 donation to the Boston Police Department’s 2006 Boston Gun Buyback “Aim For Peace.” The program has already taken more than 525 operational firearms off the street.

“This donation from the Red Sox will help continue this important program that is taking guns off our streets. Stopping the violence in our neighborhoods takes more than just a police response – it takes all of us working together,” Mayor Menino said. “Once again, the Red Sox have stepped up to the plate for the community.”

Boston Metro - ‘We aren’t going to stop now’

‘We aren’t going to stop now’
But city’s gun buyback program running out of funds
Boston METRO, 6/30/2006

BOSTON City officials are desperately reaching out to the community and businesses in a last ditch effort to raise money for the gun buyback program, which is slowly running out of funds with almost two weeks left.

Already, more than 525 guns have been turned in at police stations and community centers citywide since the program began on June 12. In exchange for guns, people receive $200 Target gift cards, and at this point, the city has gone through more than $75,000, according to Boston Police Deputy Superintendent Darren Greeley.

Film on gangs strives to reclaim Hub streets

Film on gangs strives to reclaim Hub streets
Boston Herald
By Laura Crimaldi
Friday, June 30, 2006 - Updated: 01:52 AM EST

    As the Hub braces for a bloody summer, former Boston and Cape Verdean gang members featured in a documentary film that tells the story of street violence in the city are hoping to take back the neighborhoods they once terrorized.

     “We started in Uphams Corner causing chaos and now a film is going to be debuted in Uphams Corner. It’s going to end where it started,” said Mario Rodrigues, 29, of Dorchester, an ex-gang member and Cape Verdean immigrant who is at the center of “Street Soldiers: Uniting to Rebuild Our Community One Block At a Time.”