A display of some of the weapons turned in at the 2017 Buyback.
Gun Buy Back Program Needs Your Help!
Cleveland Police Foundation supports this significant program as part of its commitment to the Cleveland Division of Police during a time when gun violence is in the news.
The Cleveland Police Foundation (CPF) has announced its annual Public Safety Gun Buy Back Program Fundraising Campaign. This is an important and even critical initiative that protects our citizens and police officers, according to Dick Clough, Cleveland Police Foundation board president.
The Cleveland Police Foundation raises the money, and the Cleveland Division of Police collects, inspects, and prepares firearms for eventual disposal; typically at a local steel plant to be recycled into new steel. The firearms are exchanged for gift cards purchased from or donated by local companies and individuals. This program continues to make Cleveland a safer city. To date, the Gun Buy Back program has removed over 3,300 operable firearms from Cleveland’s neighborhoods. The goal for this campaign is $15,000 and 150 firearms.
There are several ways to support the Gun Buy Back Program. The CPF welcomes the donation of gift cards or cash. Currently, the CPF is looking for a naming sponsor for this important initiative. Details about this sponsorship are available from the Cleveland Police Foundation.
“The Division of Police fully supports the Cleveland Police Foundation’s effort to remove guns from our streets that may end up in the wrong hands, said Cleveland Police Chief Dornat Drummond,“This endeavor coincides with our mission to make Cleveland a safer city in which to live and work.”
More information about this program can be found here or by contacting Cleveland Police Foundation Executive Director Kathy Heigle at 216-623-3333 or rdechant@clevelandpolicefoundation.org. Please note that the Cleveland Police Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with both the IRS and the State of Ohio, so your donation is tax-deductible.
How to Help
Gallery
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- Residents line up to meet with our range ordinance officers
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- Many thanks to the sponsors and community partners
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- Some of the shotguns were of questionable legality
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- Cleveland Police Officers inspect and tag some of the incoming handguns
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- Operable can be a very a broad, but dangerous, category
About the Annual Gun Buyback
Video: Channel 5, Annual Gun Buyback Event
In an effort to improve neighborhood and residential safety, the City of Cleveland with the support of its community partners conducts its annual gun buyback.
The program allows citizens to dispose of unwanted operable firearms in a safe, secure and anonymous manner while receiving gift cards and tickets to professional sporting events and leave with the knowledge that the weapons will not fall into the wrong hands … to be used to perpetrate violent crimes or result in accidental injury or death if improperly handled. An added bonus is the weapons are melted down and recycled into steel for producing appliances, vehicles and other household products.
Funding is made available through grants and donations from corporations, organizations, businesses and individuals.
Chief Calvin Williams states, “We know that as a result of this program someone’s life will be saved, and we are encouraged that the police and community are working together to get these guns off the street.”
Since its inception, nearly 3,000 of firearms have been removed from the community.
ArcelorMittal, one of leading steel manufacturers in the world and its employees have been ardent supporters since the program’s inception, providing grants to allow for the purchase of gift cards to “buy” the firearms, and also melting them down into recycled steel at its Cleveland mill.
Other key supporters are Dave’s Markets, TrueNorth Shell, the Cleveland CAVS, Gladiators and Monsters, and individual donors.
On behalf of the entire community, our sincere thanks to ArcelorMittal and all our community partners supporting the mission of the CPF.
A member of our staff is happy to discuss how you, your company, or foundation can invest in making our community safer. To learn more about our programs and giving opportunities, please contact us at 216-623-3333, or via email.
Archive of Previous Years’ Buybacks