Gifts For Guns - Ladera Heights/Culver City/Marina Del Rey Station Event - May 2, 2009

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has again instituted the Gifts for Guns program and is asking for local residents to safely surrender any firearms. This program, as in recent years, hopes to reduce the number of firearms in the community, which could potentially be stolen or used in criminal activity. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, with the assistance of local churches and community organizations, and with local retail stores are offering $100 gift cards to either Wal-Mart, Target, Von's or Ralph's Grocery stores ($200 for assault weapons) for each firearm surrendered during this program.

The largest challenge to this program is to ensure that the local residents understand that this is a completely anonymous process, where we will ask no questions of the person surrendering the firearm. All weapons will be collected by Sheriff's Department personnel with the assistance of local volunteers at a booth set up in the parking lot of the Ladera Shopping center on May 2, 2009).

The purpose of this program is to reward local residents for assisting in creating a safer community in Ladera Height, View Park, Windsor hills, and the surrounding areas. Our program is inclusive of all aspects of this community as we work together to help keep LA County safe.

In addition, Sergeant Ron Thrash says:

I would like to add... anyone who is planning to take advantage of this event, please be sure that the weapon is unloaded and in the trunk of your vehicle. If you are driving an SUV or a Hatchback type of vehicle have the weapon again unloaded and in the extreme hatchback area. If you are in a pickup truck have the weapon unloaded and in the bed area of the pickup truck. At no time will you handle the weapon, Deputies will do all the work all that you are required to do is remain in your vehicle at all times and the Deputy will remove the weapon from you vehicle. This is a completely drive-thru event. If you have any questions contact staff at the Ladera Center at 310)410-7600 or the Marina Station at 310)482-6000 Additionally if you are unable to unload your weapon, please advise the deputy and we will take possession of the weapon and render the weapon safe.

Ron Thrash, Sergeant
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Marina del Rey Station/Ladera Center
310)410-7604

JB BROOKMAN