2020 PROJECT

As part of our on-going commitment to officer safety and wellness, the City of Mendota Heights will reimburse each officer up to $200 for the purchase of a home gun safe.

To further raise awareness, a special edition police patch will be issued to officers and can be worn on their uniform during the month of June and sold to the public to cover the cost of the program.

 In 2020, firearms became the leading cause of death among children in the United States (Center for Disease Control).

• Youth firearm suicide has reached its highest rate in more than 20 years.
• 30 Million American children now live in homes with firearms
• 80% of firearm suicides by people 18 or younger involve a gun that belonged to a family member.
• Safe storage practices can reduce up to 33% of youth suicide and unintentional death.
• The Journal Injury Prevention published that many law enforcement officers who own firearms fail to store them safely.
• The study found 71% of Officers had a gun at home and only 40% were stored in a safe.
• “Historically, law enforcement officers have had higher rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors,” said study first author Allison Bond, of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers.

For more information on responsible gun ownership go to Moms Demand Action.  www.momsdemandaction.org

For more information on how to keep kids safe around guns go to BeSMART for Kids. www.besmartforkids.org

Please help protect your family and community by storing firearms safely and promptly reporting them missing or stolen.