Safe Streets Fundraiser Gives Peekskill PD Programs a $3,000 Boost

The kick-off for Peekskill’s Safe Streets Program was a success and Peekskill officials said the community will start to reap the benefits of the program sooner, rather than later.

Councilman Darren Rigger said the kick-off fundraiser, which took place May 1 at the New York Firehouse Grille in Peekskill, raised $3,000.

Safe Streets is initiative started by the police department to fund a gun buy back program, the reward money police use to get information on serious crimes and the monetary reward given for any information that gets illegal guns off the streets.

“We needed to raise $2,500 in order to be the first city in westchester to participate in a county sponsored Gun Buy Back Program,” Rigger said. “We raised about $3,000 in the one night. We are thrilled by the community's support and their positive reaction to the program.”

Police Chief Eric Johansen praised the community for coming out and supporting the event. Johansen said it was attended by about 50 to 75 people.

Johansen said information on when the city gun buy back program is taking place be announced shortly.

“I want to thank the community for coming out and supporting these initiatives,” Johansen said. “I also wanted to express gratitude that so many people in the community decided to take ownership for reducing the number of illegal and unmarked handguns in the City of Peekskill. That’s a tribute to this community and I’m very proud of the fact that I’m the police chief here.”

Johansen said officials are examining other fundraisers that can be done for the Safe Streets Program in the future.