This weekend PIX11 partnered with State Senator Malcolm Smith (D-Queens) in a gun buyback program to help rid the city’s streets of weapons. The buyback, which was held on Saturday, August 18, at the New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Jamaica, Queens, successfully removed 507 guns from the streets, the largest number in New York City’s history. 

Authorities confirm Saturday’s buyback, organized by the NYPD, the New York City Police Foundation, State Senator Smith, PIX11 and other corporate sponsors, was the most successful in the city to date, in terms of the number of weapons turned in on a single day at a single location.

Anyone who brought in an operational gun was paid up to $200 in the form of a gift card–no questions asked. This gun buyback program was put together by a private partnership that used money from the private public sector to buy guns and get them off the street. Senator Smith and PIX11 contributor Wally Zeins, a retired NYPD Detective Sergeant, through his work with the New York City Police Foundation, led the fundraising effort for the buyback, raising more than $70,000 in public and private funds.

Throughout the month, PIX11, as the media partner, has aired a series of segments on gun violence, reaction from community leaders, block watchers and had conversations with families affected by violence. Complete coverage can be seen here: pix11.com/guns.

 “The women and men of PIX11 News embraced this month-long project and made it a success.  It is a positive example of what a news organization can do beyond reporting the news. It is community service at its best,” said Bill Carey, PIX11 News Director.