Who:
Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, Los Angeles Police Department Assistant Chief J.I. Davis and Rancho Cucamonga Mayor Bill Alexander

What:
Press Conference Announcing the Destruction of Confiscated Firearms

When:
Friday, July 26, 2002 at 10:00 a.m.

Where:
Tamco Steel Company, 12459 Arrow Highway, Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Los Angeles: Recently, Los Angeles area law enforcement agencies combined efforts aimed at gunfire suppression throughout the fourth of July holiday period. During this 24-hour period, 12 firearms were confiscated by LAPD officers and, unfortunately, three residents lost their lives due to gunfire violence. In addition, the LAPD Communications Center received 79 "shots fired" radio calls. These incidents are examples of why the Los Angeles Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies are focusing their efforts to remove dangerous weapons from our streets.

The Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will engage in the destruction of approximately 10,000 guns, as part of a strategic effort in gun violence reduction, as we move forward in our relentless pursuit to ensure for the safety and security of the people of the Los Angeles community. Of particular importance is the fact that the Department’s efforts in this arena are community-based.

Attendees at the event also include Niko and Theo Milonopoulos of the community organization, "Kidz Voice-LA", a group of youngsters committed to reducing guns and violence in our community.

At Fridays gun destruction, several weapons, seized by law enforcement agencies, will be on display for media viewing and then the weapons will be destroyed at the Tamco facility. These weapons will be melted and the molten material will be used for making rebar. In the past, the rebar derived from the weapons was used in the construction of the Staples center and the Alameda Corridor Project.

This press advisory was prepared by Officer Jack Richter, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.