Two shotguns, seven revolvers, three semi-automatics and two rifles equaled the sum of 14 weapons bought on Saturday, June 30, 2012, when the Opalocka Police Department, in cooperation with St. Andrew Missionary Baptist Church, The Florida Highway Patrol, The Miami-Dade County Police Gun Bounty Program and other partnering agencies and businesses, hosted its bi-annual Gun Buy Back Initiative from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at New Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, 15000 Northwest 27th Avenue, Opa-locka, Florida 33054.
July 4th, Independence Day, is a time when many guns are used in the celebration of the holiday. Many of these guns have also been used in criminal activity throughout the area. The Gun Buy Back Initiative is an attempt to help curtail the increasing level of gun violence that occurs in the North Dade area. The aim is to help remove some of these weapons off the streets and out of circulation.
The Gun Buy Back program was dedicated in honor and memory of the late Rev. Dr. Arthur Jackson, Jr. of New Shiloh Baptist Church, who originated the Gun Buy Back program in Miami-Dade County. Rev. Dr. D.L. Powell and New Shiloh Baptist Church also united with this program along with Rev. L. B. Roundtree, Sr. and New Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, who graciously allowed the program to continue on the grounds of the previous location. Rev. Dr. L. T. Walthour II and St. Andrew Missionary Baptist Church celebrated five years of sponsoring the Gun Buy Back project with the Opa-locka Police Department.
Participant in the Gun Buy Back Initiative were only required to follow two very important guidelines: 1.) Transport ALL firearms UNLOADED in the trunk of the vehicle and 2.) Park the vehicle on the SOUTH side of the property (outside the fence). Otherwise no questions were asked or information required at the time the weapons were being turned-in and the money was being distributed.
To make a donation or to obtain more information on future Gun Buy Back initiatives, call 305.688.3510 or email the office of St. Andrew’s Missionary Baptist Church at info@standrewmbc.org or contact Admn. Ofc. Crawford Opa-locka PD, at 305-681-1033 ext 227.
