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Brevard County "Kicks for Guns" Information

"KICKS FOR GUNS" - (Gun buyback) OFFERS REWARDS FOR FIREARMS

The Palm Bay Police Department, Cocoa Police Department and the Titusville Police Department will host the annual "Kicks for Guns" campaign on Thursday, August 22, 2013 from 7 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

"Kicks for Guns" is a completely anonymous program that allows area residents to trade in unloaded firearms in exchange for a $50 fuel or food gift card with no questions asked.

In Palm Bay, the event will be located at Space Coast Harley, 1440 Sportsman Lane.  In Palm Bay, pellet guns and air guns earn a restaurant coupon.

"The idea is to remove unwanted guns from the community that can potentially become the target of thieves," said Sergeant Ron Lugo. "If we can prevent gun crimes from occurring by removing targets of opportunity, that's a win for everyone."

Last year Palm Bay officers collected 133 firearms including mostly shotguns, rifles, semi-automatic handguns and revolvers.  Ten of those firearms are illegal to possess.

In Cocoa, the buyback will be held in the east side of the parking lot at Byrd Plaza located at 801 Dixon Boulevard, Cocoa.  Citizens will receive a $50 gift card (maximum 2 per car) while supplies last.  BB and Pellet guns will receive coupons from restaurants.  Last year Cocoa recovered over 230 guns, all have since been destroyed. The gift cards were purchased using forfeiture funds, which is money seized from criminals as a result of their suspected illegal activities.

This will be the first year for Titusville Police Department.  They will be holding their event in the Sears Town Mall Parking lot (east side) located at 3550 S. Washington Avenue, Titusville.

The Palm Bay Police Department, Cocoa Police Department and Titusville Police Department are the only law enforcement agencies in Brevard County participating in this year's program.  "Kicks for Guns" is in its 12th year.  Originally guns were traded in for new shoes at a single location.  Due to changing economic conditions the program shifted to gift cards.

Anyone wishing to turn in firearms should make sure the weapons are safely unloaded and properly secured in the vehicle when arriving at the park entrance.  Officers and Police Department personnel will retrieve all weapons and provide a ticket in order to enter the area to obtain the gift card.  For more information contact the Public Information Office at 321-426-5194 (Palm Bay PD) or Officer Barbara Matthews, Cocoa PD 321-637-6309.

The event is sponsored as a partnership among the Palm Bay Police Department, the Cocoa Police Department, the Titusville Police Department, the Central Florida CRIMELINE, KISS 95.1 FM Clearchannel Radio,  Real Radio 104.1, Monsters of the Morning, 102 Jamz, Papa John's Pizza, Chick fil-A, Burger King and McDonald's.