07-25-07 County Executive Edward A. Diana Announces Results of “Give it up for Life”...

Orange County Gun Buyback Program

Pictured left to right- Chief of Police Craig Cherry, Middletown Mayor, Marlinda Duncanson, Edward Diana, Legislator Greg Townsend, Chief Investigator Greg Gaetano, Al Carpenter, District Manager of Shop Rite

County Executive Edward A. Diana held a news conference today announcing the results of Orange County’s “Give it up for Life”  Gun Buyback Program.  County Executive Diana was joined by members of the Orange County Legislature, Middletown Mayor Duncanson,  Middletown Police Chief Byrne, Newburgh Police Chief Paolilli, Port Jervis Police Chief Cherry, Chief Assistant District Attorney Richard Ruggeri, the Sheriff ‘s Officet and several other members of the community and law enforcement officials as well as Walter Koury, Commissioner of Emergency Services.

Orange County Government has allotted a total of $150,000 to fight crime. Each city will receive $50,000; $10,000 for the Gun Buyback program and $40,000 for security cameras.

The program netted a total of 198 firearms that were turned into the Police Departments; $12,550 in gift certificates were given out.

The Gun Buyback Program was a 45-day program starting June 1st thru July 15th when individuals could turn in their guns 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. The amnesty for possession, no questions asked program, allowed individuals to turn in firearms without fear of charges for criminal possession.

“Safety has always been my administration’s number one priority,” said County Executive Diana. “This campaign “Give it up for Life”, motivated the community to become involved in getting illegal guns off the streets while encouraging our youth to reject a life of violence and crime. One less illegal gun on the street is one less potential for death. I commend the fine job of the three city police departments who administered the program as well as the residents of this County for believing in this important program.”

For more information regarding this press release, please call Ann Marie Maglione, Assistant to the County Executive at 845.291.2705.