BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Last Thursday, City Council members unanimously approved a $25,000 allocation from a trust fund for Tampa Police to use for a new gun buy-back program. Tampa Police requested the funding because of the recent rash of murders committed with handguns.

The gun buy back will start on Saturday, December 10th from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., at the Seminole Heights Baptist Church, 801 E. Hillsborough Avenue. Those surrendering the guns will receive $50 per gun and the guns can be submitted anonymously with no questions asked.

Police are requesting that anyone turning in a gun must make sure that the weapon is not loaded and in a plastic bag. While transporting the weapon, it should be placed inside the trunk of the car or inside a box. An officer will either remove it or pick it up.

The Gun buy back comes on the heels of several murders that took place last month.[private]

Prior to the gun buy back, City Councilman Frank Reddick will host a press conference Wednesday, December 7th, at 10 a.m. The conference will take place at the Tampa Police District III Office, 3808 N. 22nd Street.

During the conference, Councilman Reddick, along with law enforcement and other community leaders, will address the increased violence in the community.

“With several young people dead and many other random acts of violent behavior within the City of Tampa, the community is responding with a “Stop The Violence” campaign,” Councilman Reddick said.

In addition to the press conference, a “Stop The Violence From Dope To Hope March” will take place Saturday, December 10th, 3 p.m., at Greater Mount Carmel AME Church, 4209 N. 34th Street. A Candlelight Vigil will immediately follow.

On January 5th, at 6 p.m., a follow up “Stop The Violence” meeting will take place at the CDC of Tampa, Inc., 1907 E. Hillsborough Avenue, Suite 100, at 6 p.m.[/private]