(Chicago) Gun Exchange Program To Be Held Saturday

(Medill News Service) CHICAGO -- This Saturday, community members, church leaders and parents are hoping to turn two recent tragedies in Englewood into an end to gun violence.

In response to the deaths of 10-year-old Siretha White and 14-year-old Starkesia Reed, the Clergy for Safer Streets and the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy are presenting the city's first-ever "Don't Kill A Dream, Save A Life" event -- a gun turn-in program.

Anyone can turn in a gun Saturday in exchange for a $100 debit card at 23 participating churches all over the city, said Glen Brooks, CAPS coordinator.

"In planning this event, we [wanted] to reach every segment of the city. This is not an Englewood event," Brooks said in a phone interview Wednesday. "I think what Englewood did was highlight" gun violence that is happening all over the city.

The two Englewood girls were killed in separate incidents within a week of each other last March. Each girl was hit by stray bullets entering their homes from shootings on the streets outside.

Brooks emphasized that not all 23 churches are on the South Side: "The goal of the program is to get weapons off the street and encompass all areas of Chicago, from the very tip of the North Side to very tip of the South Side," he said.

Jennifer Bishop, Illinois field director for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, said, "I find it commendable the Chicago Police Department is setting aside other concerns and looking at the big picture. ... That is why there are no questions asked. They just want to save lives."

Bishop said chapters of the Million Mom March are supplying volunteers to work at Saturday's event. "People really do need a place to get rid of guns ... [especially] with all these kids getting killed in Englewood. They are getting amnesty for one day," she said.

"We are urging residents to call 311[for a listing of the church locations]," said Chicago Police spokeswoman Monique Bond. She said there "are no limits per individual [gun] turn-in."

The program begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. But if someone arrives a few minutes later, there "may be a grace period of five minutes," Bond said. Brooks, however, said: "If we are there, we will accept the guns. But the Chicago Police Department is taking an inherent risk and can only [hold the event] for a specific time."

Bond explained that the $100 cards can be used anywhere. "There are no designated stores," she said.

"The $100 debit card is really generous," Bishop said. "The cash can be used to buy clothes or PlayStation games."

At the "Don't Kill A Dream, Save A Life" briefing last week at the Greater Salem Baptist Church, a collection of Chicago powers and activists gathered, including Police Supt. Philip J. Cline, Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan, Rev. Walter Johnson, Father Michael Pfleger, Rev. Albert Tyson, members of Clergy for Safer Streets and CAPS Director Vance Henry. Also attending was Lauri Sanders, a representative of Jewel-Osco, which donated $10,000 to the program.

"Anyone who is taking positive measures to stop shooting and killing is an asset to the community," said Elena Quintana, director of evaluation at CeaseFire, an initiative of the Chicago Project for Violence Prevention. Quintana said cooperation, not competition, is the way to fight violence: "We all need to work together," she said.

"I have heard [of cases] where grandmothers bring in their grandsons' guns during these gun turn-in programs," Quintana said.

Pastor Carey Gidron of Believers Time International Church, 1421 W. 69th St., said, "One of the key things we hope to gain from [Saturday's event] is that we want people to turn in guns....not for the money, but for change, for hope, to save a life."

If funds remain after the gun turn-in, Bond said: "More than likely, the funds will remain in reserve for future gun turn-in programs."

"City corporations such as Chase [bank], Jewel-Osco and others who wish to remain anonymous have stepped up" in financing Saturday's event, Brooks said.

Several radio stations in the Chicago area have announced "Don't Kill A Dream, Save A Life" on the air.

As for the exchanged guns, "[they] will be melted down," Bond said. She said the program may become an annual event.

"The Clergy for Safer Streets and CAPS more than anything want the public to hear the message, that guns are dangerous and responsible for too much senseless violence claiming the lives of innocent victims," Bond explained.

"One gun on the street is too many. Even if all 23 churches only collect 23 guns, they will have made a difference," Bond said.

-- Liberation Christian Center, 6810 S. Ashland Ave., 773-436-7940. -- First Deliverance Church, 4315 S. Wabash Ave., 773-373-7700. -- Revival Temple, 6415 S. Ashland Ave., 773-476-7283. -- Holy Cross Immaculate Church, 4557 S. Wood St., 773-376-3900. -- St. Sabina Church, 1210 W. 78th Place, 773-483-4300. -- Greater Salem Baptist Church, 215 W 71st St., 773-874-2325. -- St. Agnes Church, 2651 S. Central Park Ave., 773-522-0142. -- New Garden Baptist MB Church, 1411 S. Ashland Ave., 773-354-3821. -- People's Church of the Harvest, 3570 W. 5th Ave, 773-533-6877. -- Assembly of God Church New Life Covenant, 1665 N. Mozart Ave., 773-384-7113. -- East Side United Methodist Church, 11000 S. Ewing St., 773-721-4141. -- Immaculate Conception Parish, 2944 E 88th St., 773-768-2100. -- Bethlehem Star MB Church, 9231-33 S. Cottage Grove Ave., 773-487-8441. -- New Vision of Faith Ministries, 447 W. 120th St., 773-264-3020. -- Trinity All Nations Ministry, 9600 S. Vincennes Ave., 773-238-1174. -- Fourth Congregational Church, 2625 N. Talman Ave., 773-486-1184. -- Bethel Lutheran Church, 1410 N. Springfield Ave., 773-252-1104. -- Mandell United Methodist Church, 5000 W. Congress Parkway,773-626-3626. -- Humboldt Park Community Church, 1515 N. Homan Ave., 773-252-4021. -- Wayman A.M.E. Church, 509 W Elm St., 312-944-3780. -- Spanish Christian Church, 1507 W. Sunnyside Ave., 773-728-1777. -- Uptown Baptist Church, 1011 W. Wilson Ave., 773-784-2922. -- West Ridge Community Methodist Church, 2301 W. Lunt Ave., 773-346-3113.

I, Chad Gutowsky, May 6th, 2006 left the Cove Lounge on 55th Street to check on Judith Hochberg of the same address a half hour after dusk. I stopped in to say “Hi” to Leonard Murray, who was managing the desk at the Hyde Park Arms in the 5300 block of Harper. I told him I was checking in on Judith at home and would stop back in a few minutes as I had some movies I thought he would want to watch. I walked the one block home. Walking home there were more than the usual number of homeless people out and I was approached by three asking me for change. I arrived home and spoke with Judith for a couple of minutes. I told her about being hassled by homeless people and that was going to drop off some movies and head back to the Cove.
Heading back the Arms I decided to use the alley behind the stores that are between Blackstone and Harper, this was to avoid the homeless hassle. Coming up towards Harper, I came across what appeared to be a pellet gun or rifle. I picked it up and brought it into the Arms. I told Leonard and a tenant standing at the desk what I had just found. I asked Leonard if he could call the police and turn it in. He was hesitant as he didn’t want to deal with the police who are often called into the Arms. I told Leonard I would bring the weapon to the store at the corner of Harper and 53rd, as police come there all the time. I wrapped it in my coat and walked out.
I immediately noticed a police car stopped at the corner facing me. I removed the gun from my coat and propped it upright against the font bumper of a parked car. I then waved down the police car. I told the officer I had found a gun. The officer got out of the car, looked at the gun, and said she was going to pull into the alley. Leaving the gun where it was. She then pulled into the alley and promptly secured the gun in the back seat of the police car. The officer was very professional and seemed to appreciate my motivation to notify an officer of the gun I found.
I was then asked to be searched and after that I was asked to provide ID. I told the officer that I didn’t have any ID with me, and I was a block away and could provide whatever was needed. I asked if I could close my laptop case as it was starting to mist. Three minutes later another Chicago police car arrived with two officers. The officer I waved down then politely informed me I was to be cuffed.
The three officers then had a very short discussion, less than one minute. I was then escorted to the second police car and with legs crossed placed in the back of the car. As we drove away, I had no idea if I was under arrest or where I was going. While in transit I was asked several questions regarding the weapon I had and mostly about what I did for a living. The police officer in the front passenger seat never said a word. The officer driving said to me “I can’t wait to see what you have on that laptop”. He also said to me that I was stupid. The stupid statement was used over and over. The officer driving would ask me questions and as I attempted to answer I was interrupted with very aggressive vulgar remarks.
We arrived at a police station which I have been told was the 21st District. I did not know where I was. I was first taken into a small room. On the way to the room I was threatened that I would be taken “Down stairs and I will fuck you up.” The Commander came into the room, never making eye contact with me and stated “Good work” to the two officers. I was then immediately moved to a large room with thirty or more student style desks and what appeared to be an evidence locker. I was cuffed to a bench. The officer I waived down originally then came in the room and sat down on the opposite side. I don’t want to speak for that officer, however it seemed to me that the officer was disturbed by what was transpiring. The only officer that spoke to me was the officer in the drivers’ seat. I was asked if I had ever been arrested before and I said I had. The officer then asked me to provide my name. I gave the spelling of my last name several times. He asked me if I used an alias, I told him “I don’t use any nickname.” Then I was told not to be a “smart ass.” After the third time I was asked for the spelling of my last name I informed him that I was an SKY, not SKI. The officer then shouted to me that I was giving him misleading information. The officer then approached me from across the room shouting. The officer said to me “I will make sure you are someone’s bitch.” At this point I felt that all I should say is “Sir, Yes, No.” Several times I said wouldn’t provide any information until I could consult my attorney.
The officer proceeded to open my laptop and asked me for the password to gain access. I was told that if I didn’t supply my computers password that I was going to be charged with a stolen property. Then that threat was changed to “You’ll never see this computer again, and if I decide to put into property and I guarantee it won’t work when you see it again.” I stated that I could not give him access as there is very delicate information on it. I then stated that I am a private citizen that has done work for several federal agencies. This provoked the officer even more. I was then informed I would be charged with impersonation of a federal officer. I further explained that I consult RFP requirements to assist private companies to certify and acquire Department of Defense contracts. Then the officer’s partner searching my bag indicated he had found a March parking pass from the US Secret Service.
At this point the officer called my friend that had witnessed the arrest. From the time I was arrested until this conversation I had had no contact with the witness. The witness told the officer that I was going to turn the weapon by seeing if there was a police officer at the corner of 53rd and Harper. At this point the officer was called out of the room to speak to the States Attorney. He was gone for less than two minutes. When he walked in he stated “someone must really like your ass!” Now his mood changed and he became very quiet. The other two officers where quiet the entire time.
I was then escorted out of the room into a small 6 by 10 foot room and informed that I was going to be transferred. I asked to where and was promptly told to “be quiet smart ass.” I was put in the police car and had to cross my legs Indian style as there was no access to the floor of the car. The officer then drove at speeds of 75-85 miles per hour without any regard for public safety and mine. I was very scared at this point. I had no idea what or where I was going and in such a rush. I was again told I was stupid and that he wished I had waived him down as he would have shot then asked questions. Less than ten minutes later we arrived at another location, which I have been told was Court system Branch 34, 155 W. 51st St. I did not know where I was, but I knew we were going straight down 51st Street. Once at that location he again became very cordial. I was processed and put in a cell alone. I was allowed a phone call and then moved into a cell to wait for the morning to see the judge. In the morning I was offered a “deal” that if I confessed to a felony weapons charge I would only get a suspended sentence. I said “With all due respect, I would go through this 100 time over as I know I have done the right thing.” I was then put back into a holding cell. Less than ten minutes later I was in front of the judge. The States Attorney smiled at me, motioning as if she was patting my hand “We’re going to just dismiss this.” I said “I had no doubt, is this an apology?” I was then put into the holding cell for hours more before I was released. Chicago 7 news crew attempted to interview me and I declined. I got on the bus and went home.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.