Hillsborough County's newest plan to end gun-related violence could put a lot of cash in a lot of hands.
The way the Gun Bounty Program works is that tipsters can receive $1,000 if the information leads to one arrest on a gun charge and recovery of at least one gun.
On Tuesday, Feb. 9, Hillsborough County State Attorney Mark Ober hosted a press conference, flanked by Tampa Bay-area police chiefs, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay representatives to unveil the plan. The Gun Bounty Program is a joint effort between Plant City, Temple Terrace, Tampa, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and Crime Stoppers.
”I am confident if we save one life, if we prevent one death … we can make a difference in this regard," Ober said.
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The Gun Bounty Program does not seek to buy back guns, but rather reward those who call in anonymous tips that lead to successful arrests — one gun and one arrest ends with $1,000 in someone's pocket.
"This program is significant for us," HCSO Colonel Donna Lusczynski said.
The bounty program is the first of its kind in Hillsborough County history, though it has been implemented in other cities. St. Petersburg has a similar program in place, as do Miami, Jacksonville and Gainesville.
But what makes Tampa Bay's program stand out from that pack is the fact that it's not being funded by donations. According to Crime Stoppers Executive Director Lisa Haber, the program will largely be funded through the Felony Pre-Trial Intervention program, a "sustainable source of funding," she says, that the program hopes to be expanded upon through corporate investors.
There is currently $45,000 in funds available for the program, donated by TPD, HCSO and Buckhorn. Individuals that participate in the Felony PTI program will pay a $40 fee to benefit the Gun Bounty Program, and Ober believes that this should generate around $35,000 per year for the cause. None of the funding comes from tax dollars.
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.