PHILADELPHIA PA, April 21, 2007 – Congressman Chaka Fattah and Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown announced today that the popular “Groceries for Guns” Exchange will move to Southwest Philadelphia, the city’s homicide hotspot, on April 28.

“We intend to bring in our 1,000th firearm and keep on going as we work toward a Gun Safe Philadelphia,” Congressman Fattah said as he joined Councilwoman Reynolds Brown for the fourth firearms exchange at Morris Estate Recreation Center, 1610 E. Chelten Avenue in West Oak Lane. The primary sponsor for today’s Exchange was The Northwest Fund, a crime-fighting and community-building nonprofit.

The exchange at Morris Estate netted 213 firearms handed over to police in exchange for grocery vouchers, including 138 handguns. The four “Groceries for Guns” initiatives this year have brought in 817 firearms.

“Southwest Philadelphia, unfortunately, has the highest homicide total for any section of Philadelphia,” Fattah said. “We believe there are hundreds of unwanted, dangerous handguns and other firearms that the citizens of the Southwest want to remove from their homes and get out of harm’s way.”

Councilwoman Reynolds Brown said, “’Groceries for Guns’ is a positive way for our citizens to join in efforts to make sure these lethal weapons will no longer pose any kind of a threat. I am pleased to be the partner with Congressman Fattah, many fine community organizations and hundreds of Philadelphians in this initiative.”

The next “Groceries for Guns” will be held Saturday April 28 at Francis J. Myers Recreation Center, 58th Street and Kingsessing Avenue. The 12th Police District, which includes Myers, recorded more homicides in 2006 than any other police district in Philadelphia. 

“Groceries for Guns” offers $200 in grocery certificates and tokens for any firearm handed over to Philadelphia police, no questions asked. The limit is $400 in groceries – at The Fresh Grocer or Acme – for two or more weapons.

“Groceries for Guns,” developed by Congressman Fattah with Councilwoman Reynolds Brown, has numerous co-sponsors, with Radio One’s three FM stations taking a lead role in publicizing the exchanges. The April 21 co-sponsors were the Morris Estate Advisory and Recreation Council, Men United for a Better Philadelphia, People for People Inc., in addition to The Fresh Grocer and Acme.