Baltimore City officials announced Tuesday a one-year pilot program to allow average citizens to anonymously report illegal guns.
The Illegal Gun Bounty Program, a partnership between the city and Metro Crime Stoppers of Maryland, will allow people to call or send a text message to report the location of illegal firearms in the city.
Tipsters who give information that leads to the recovery of an illegal working firearm can receive $500 per firearm. They can get the same amount for each felony gun arrest.
“We hope that this pilot [program] will increase the number of guns that are recovered, increase the number of tips that are received overall and reduce the violence that we see in our streets and in our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
Clear Channel Outdoor is to donate space on five billboards throughout the city to advertise the program.
Citizens can call 1-866-7LOCK-UP (756-2587) or text tips to 274637 (crimes).