Goshen - County Executive Edward A. Diana held a news conference yesterday announcing the results of Orange County’s “Give it up for Life” Gun Buyback Program. County Executive Diana was joined Orange County Legislatures Mike Pillimier and Dan Depew, District Attorney Frank Phillips, Orange County Sheriff Carl DuBois, Commissioner of Emergency Services, Walter Koury, Middletown Mayor Joe DeStefano, Middletown Police Chief Lt Ramon Bethencourt, Newburgh Mayor Nick Valentine and Deputy Police Chief Mike Ferrier, Port Jervis Mayor Russ Potter and Police Chief Bill Worden, and several other members of the community and law enforcement officials.
Orange County Government has allotted a total of $30,000 to help fight crime in the three cities, Middletown, Newburgh and Port Jervis. This is the second Gun Buy Back Program held in Orange County. The 1st Gun Buy Back which was in 2007 netted 197 firearms.
This Gun Buy Back netted a total of 217 firearms that were turned into the Police Departments; $15,875 in Shop Rite gift certificates were given.
The Gun Buyback Program was a two month program starting December 1st- January 31st 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”, is once again motivating 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.”
