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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Police Chief Kerlikowske Announces the Implementation of a New Program Regarding the Domestic Violence Firearms Forfeitures
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
6/3/2005 12:00:00 PM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Christie-Lynne Bonner
(206) 684-5520
Police Media Relations (206) 684-5520
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Police Chief Kerlikowske Announces the Implementation of a New Program Regarding the Domestic Violence Firearms Forfeitures
Seattle—Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske and City Attorney Tom Carr announced today the implementation of a new program aimed at increasing the personal safety of victims of domestic violence. Police officers will take custody of firearms at the scene of a domestic violence.
“There is always great danger to everyone when firearms and domestic violence mix. This program strengthens the Seattle Police Department’s resolve to combat domestic violence and continue to reduce the number of serious injuries from the use of firearms against victims,” said Chief Gil Kerlikowske.
The Seattle Police Department along with the Law Department and the Seattle Municipal Court has been working since March of 2004 to develop and implement this program. SPD has been conducting training for officers and detectives that will be completed in June.
“I am proud of the cooperative effort among the Seattle Municipal Court, the Seattle Police Department and my office to develop a safe and secure way to protect domestic violence victims by getting the guns out of the hands of batterers,” said City Attorney Tom Carr.
Although it is difficult to predict the number of guns that will be surrendered voluntarily through this program, the King County Sheriff’s Office has averaged twenty voluntary surrenders per year. This number does not reflect the number of guns taken by officers as evidence or that are ordered removed or surrendered by the Court.
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