Police Chief Kenny Hampton said his department is beginning a new initiative to remove firearms from the hands of juveniles within the community.
Thanks to a joint effort with the local juvenile youth court, Hampton said any juvenile found in possession of a firearm will turn that weapon over to the police department. Regardless of who technically owns the weapon, the department will not release the firearm once it has been confiscated.
“It does not matter who owns the gun,” Hampton said. “If we find a juvenile in possession of one, we will take that gun into our possession at the police department, and we will use those weapons to help purchase equipment. It does not matter who owns the gun or if the parents were unaware that their child had the weapon. If we catch them with one, it becomes our property.”
Juvenile-related crime has been one issue Hampton said he is ready to put some teeth into within his department. He said there are too many juveniles with weapons in their possession within the city.
Just last week, Hampton said a juvenile suspect was disciplined within the local youth court for a weapon possession incident.
“I don’t care who it is,” Hampton said. “Even if you were unaware your child perhaps took your gun from your home. We thank you for your donation.”
