Crime & Safety

Gun Buyback Program Returns to Phoenixville

Phoenixville Police team up with the health foundation and victims' advocates to help get guns off of local streets.

Phoenixville Police and others are hoping the community will help get guns off of area streets.

The police, joining with the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation and The Crime Victims' Center of Chester County, will host a gun buyback program in the borough on Nov. 19. Area residents and businesses can donate money to support the program. 

Sgt. Glenn Eckman of the Phoenixville Police Department said though the initiative has been in the planning stages since March, it seems especially relevant now, following the of Selvin Lopez-Mauricio on Prospect Street in the borough.

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"We held one back in 2008, and Mayor [Leo] Scoda wanted another one," Eckman said. "It's his initiative and we started planning it a few months ago, and now the violence has hit home."

The 2008 gun buyback, held in , netted 80 guns, and $4,000 in gift cards went to area residents who turned in firearms, according to Eckman. 

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"They ran out of gift cards because so many people turned guns in," he explained.

Eckman said the program is about halfway to its fundraising goal, and the goal is to take 120 guns back this year. Those handing in guns will receive $50 gift cards to local grocery and department stores.

The buyback works in assembly line fashion, with Phoenixville police checking guns in at borough hall. Representatives from The Crime Victims' Center of Chester County will then dole out the gift cards.

"It takes just a couple minutes," Eckman said.

Gun parts and other weapons are welcome, he added, but the gift card incentive is geared to those with guns. Participants are asked to be careful in transporting the guns to borough hall.

"The one thing we ask is that you transport the ammunition and gun separate, in separate containers," Eckman said. "It's best to keep them in the trunk if possible when transporting."

Anyone wishing to donate money for gift cards for the program can make a check payable to "The Crime Victims' Center of Chester County/Phoenixville Area Violence Prevention Network" with "Gun Buyback Project" in the memo and those can be mailed to 236 W. Market St., West Chester, PA  19382-2903. 

All donations are tax deductible.

Eckman said everyone involved, and particularly Scoda, who initiated the buyback program in the borough for 2011, wants the program to be a success.

"The mayor is hoping for a big turnout," Eckman said.

The buyback event will be at borough hall on Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Anyone wanting further information can contact Sgt. Glenn Eckman of the Phoenixville Police Department at 610-933-1180, ext. 817, or e-mail geckman@phoenixville.org.


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