Detroit is offering groceries for guns. The program, offered by the Goodman Acker law firm, will take place at the New St. Paul Tabernacle Church of God in Christ in Detroit on May 18 from 10 am to 2 pm.
Residents surrendering firearms through the program will not be required to answer any questions and will be given a $50 gift card for groceries at Meijer.
As reported by CBS Detroit , attorneys Barry Goodman and Gerald Acker want to get guns off the streets of Detroit to help reduce crime. Goodman points out that “ gun violence … is claiming lives and destroying families and communities.”
Attorney Acker shares his partner’s feelings. He realizes that they do not have the resources or power to “save the world” but hopes the program can “can help save just one life.”
They attorneys developed the program along with Wayne county Executive Robert Ficano. They encourage residents to bring in their unwanted or unused weapons, so they do not end up in the hands of a criminal.
The Groceries for Guns program is operating on a first-come-first-served basis. They will distribute the Meijer gift cards until they run out but will continue accepting guns until 2 pm.
Law enforcement officials in Detroit support the program as NeighborhoodScout.com has recently named three Detroit neighborhoods as the top three Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in America .
Number one on the list is the neighborhood in the area of W. Chicago Street and Livernois Avenue. The violent crime rate for that neighborhood is over 149 per 1,000 residents. It is estimated that the chances of becoming a victim of violent crime in that area are 1 in 7. Similar statistics were found in the areas of Mack Avenue and Helen Street, along with the Gratiot Avenue and Rosemary Street neighborhood.
Goodman and Acker hope their Groceries for Guns program will help reduce at least some of these statistics, as Detroit has consistently remained one of the most violent cities in America.
[Image via Flickr ]
