Archived News Release from 2004

For Immediate Release

"Project Childsafe" Comes to Redwood City – Police to Distribute Firearm Safety Kits

Redwood City, CA -  February 12, 2004 - Redwood City and the national organization Project Childsafe are teaming up to prevent firearms accidents in the home. All too often, such an accident results from an unauthorized individual, often a child, finding a loaded and unsecured firearm in the home, and can end in tragedy. The Redwood City Police Department is working to reduce the risk of such injuries or deaths by helping gun owners fully understand their responsibility to handle firearms safely and store them in a secure manner.

In partnership with Project ChildSafe, the Redwood City Police Department will provide 2,600 free firearm safety kits to local residents. The safety kits, which include a gunlock, are available at the front counter at the Redwood City Police Department and will be offered at various community events. Redwood City residents are encouraged to securely store their firearms by picking up a kit which contains a safety brochure and a cable-style gunlock. The locks fit on most types of handguns, rifles, and shotguns.

For more information about the City’s free firearm safety kit program, contact the Redwood City Police Department’s Community Policing Unit at 780-7105. Project ChildSafe is a nationwide program whose purpose is to promote safe firearms handling and storage practices among all firearms owners through the distribution of safety education messages and free gun locking devices. Since September 2003, Project ChildSafe has distributed over 5 million safety kits in 30 states and has brought this important safety message to over 7,800 communities. Visit the Project Childsafe website at www.projectchildsafe.org.

The Redwood City Police Department is an organization of professionals who are dedicated to integrity, customer service, the rights of individuals, and the needs of a constantly changing society. The Department works in partnership with the community to protect life and property, improve our quality of life, reduce crime, and maintain a safe community. Visit the Police Department’s website at www.redwoodcity.org/police.

Visit Redwood City’s website at www.redwoodcity.org for information about the City and its services, the community, recreation programs, education, and City government.

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Contact:
Sergeant Steve Blanc
Redwood City Police Department
(650) 780-7143