February 7, 2007, Orlando, FL – Orlando City Commissioner Robert Stuart has pledged his support for Mayor Buddy Dyer’s latest crime prevention incentive, the Illegal Gun Bounty Program, with a promise to fund the first $1,000 reward.

“This is just one part of an entire package of crime prevention and enforcement tools,” said Commissioner Stuart. “I applaud the Mayor for extending this partnership with Central Florida Crimeline to help get illegal guns off the streets of Orlando. This is a small way that the citizens of District 3 and I can help curb crime in our neighborhoods.”

The Illegal Gun Bounty program is a partnership between the City of Orlando, the Orlando Police Department and Central Florida Crimeline, an organization committed to helping law enforcement agencies solve crimes and keep our communities safe by motivating citizens to provide information on felony crimes by offering financial rewards while guaranteeing anonymity.

“Even if the gun bounty program only saves one life…then this program will be declared a victory. It’s only if we can break the culture of silence and take action as a community that we will make positive progress and ensure the safety of our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Dyer.

The program was announced on January 19 and already 65 tips for illegal handguns have been called into Central Florida Crimeline and are being investigated by law enforcement. A completely anonymous reward of $1,000 is given to any person who provides a tip about the whereabouts of an illegal gun that leads to an arrest and conviction in a violent crime case.

“The citizens of District 3 are very aware of the rising rate of violent crime in our community. Each weapon removed, each criminal arrested, each felon behind bars means the streets of our city are safer,” emphasized Commissioner Stuart. “I would encourage our corporate and civic community to help with this project by funding just one reward. And I am asking our citizens to do their part by calling in tips regarding illegal guns.”

For more information on the Mayor’s Illegal Gun Bounty program, call the Orlando Police Department at 407-246-2470, or check out Orlando’s web site (http://www.cityoforlando.net/). To report an illegal gun, contact Central Florida Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (1-800-423-8477) or through their web site at http://www.cfcrimeline.com.