Press Release
Contact:
Chief Harry Dolan
Grand Rapids Police Department
456-3364
Charles R. Gross
First Assistant United States Attorney
456-2404
Chris Cameron
Silent Observer
454-9110
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Silent Observer Joins Anti-Gun Violence Initiative
August 12, 2005 - To help combat gun violence in Kent County, Silent Observer has teamed up with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan and Grand Rapids Police Department to help facilitate communication between the community and law enforcement. Silent Observer has offered to promote their tip-line at 774-2345 to those who would like a safe and anonymous way of reporting felons in possession of firearms and illegal guns. It makes sense for those in the community who are fearful of reprisals but feel obligated to help keep their neighborhoods violence-free to call Silent Observer. And if their tip leads to the arrest of an individual, they may receive a reward.
This initiative is called Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), and although it is not new to this area, the promotion of it and giving concerned citizens a phone number to actually call is new. PSN is a national program initiated by the federal government to prosecute repeat violent offenders who possess guns. It is an unprecedented partnership between all levels of government to implement a strategy to attack gun crime with focus and intensity. While national in scope, each community’s PSN task force is working to design and implement a local approach to combat the unique criminal circumstances that the area faces. PSN relies on a seamless network of law enforcement professionals who utilize a strategy of cooperation and coordination to prevent illegal gun use, as well as punishing violators and putting criminals who use guns behind bars. Prosecutors pursue the strongest possible punishment for those who violate firearms statutes.
The media campaign to promote this new partnership consists of billboards, signs on buses and bumper stickers on all of the taxi cabs in the area and some city vehicles. This was paid for by donations from United Way and the Grand Rapids Project Safe Neighborhoods program.
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May 15, 2006