Special Events

SPECIAL EVENTS

Agencies giving away gunlocks

By: Larisa Bogardus , The Independent

03/05/2004


	Springerville Police Chief Steve West demonstrates one of several thousand gunlocks available.

APACHE COUNTY - Free gunlocks are available at law enforcement offices throughout Southern Apache County thanks to Project ChildSafe, a nationwide firearms safety education program.

      Designed to fit most types of handguns, rifles and shotguns, the locks are free to anyone upon request. Guns do not have to be registered or licensed.
      "No questions asked," Springerville Police Chief Steve West said. "They're here to make families and children safer."
       Gunlock kits were delivered this past week to Springerville, St. Johns and Eagar Police departments and the Apache County Sheriff's Office.
     "This is a great opportunity," St. Johns Police Chief Jim Zieler said. "We couldn't afford to buy them ourselves (for distribution)."

Each lock comes with instructions on how to use it with different types of firearms plus firearm safety tips. All four agencies offer free gun safety education programs for adults and children as well.

"With so many kids in our community, we need to raise awareness about safe and responsible gun ownership," Zieler said. "We'll even deliver (gun locks), it's that important to us."

Springerville Police also plans to set up a gun safety education booth at various events and locations in the coming months, where parents can obtain free locks and children can take the gun safety pledge, ad receive a special certificate to take home.
Project ChildSafe was developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and funded by a $50 million U.S. Department of Justice grant and contributions from the firearms industry. More than 265,000 kits are being distributed through Arizona law enforcement agencies this year.

"Project ChildSafe is an important step forward in helping ensure that all firearm owners fully understand their responsibilities with respect to the safe handling and storage of firearms."
For more information about the program, visit http://www.projectchildsafe.org or call your local law enforcement agency.

©WMICentral 2004

2003 ARIZONA LAW ENFORCEMENT

TORCH RUN FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS

The 18th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics involves members of law enforcement agencies throughout Arizona, who are joining forces to relay the Special Olympics Torch. Torch Run participants run, walk, and bicycle to carry the Torch from the starting points to the Opening Ceremonies. This "run for love and money" will culminate at Desert Vista High School in Ahwatukee, Arizona, the site of the 2003 Special Olympics Summer Games. There, participants will pass the Torch to a Special Olympics athlete who will light the "Flame of Hope" which will burn throughout the games.

Left to right: Officer J. Tapia, Lt. Fred Frazier, Officer G. Taylor, Det. Mike Nuttall, Officer T. Tieman

The purpose of the Law Enforcement Torch Run is to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Arizona, which provides year-round training and competition in a variety of sports for over 7,000 Arizona citizens with mental disabilities. In its 18 years of existence, the Law Enforcement Torch Run has raised more than $2,500,000 for Special Olympics Arizona.

Funds for the Special Olympics Arizona are raised through donations, product sales, and special events. If you would like more information on how to make donations, please contact Officer T. Tieman at the Springerville Police Department, (928) 333-4240.