Press Releases

Illegal weapons
Nov. 7, 2009

Every day, convicted felons are walking the streets of Southwest Florida, still armed and dangerous, despite the fact that the law prohibits them from carrying weapons.

A five year old boy was shot in the face while riding in his parents car. He’s just one of a long list of innocent victims caught in the line of fire of illegal weapons. It’s a problem plaguing our streets with violence, yet the answer is as simple as picking up a phone.

“Call in, give us tips so we have the ability to hold those accountable who are carrying weapons illegally," said Fort Myers Police Chief Doug Baker.

Programs like the Illegal Gun Bounty program are currently in place to give residents the power to stop the violence. It’s a fact that there are people in our community who are in the know about crimes, and criminals walking around with illegal weapons.

But until they do the right thing, and call Crime Stoppers with that information, the violence has no option but to continue.

“There is no doubt in my mind that in 14 homicides we’ve had in the city, someone has known that these individuals were armed, and in my opinion, dangerous, prior to the event happening," Baker said.

The prevalence of illegal weapons in our community is undeniable. And what alarms law enforcement is the kind of guns they’re seeing.

“It’s high caliber, it’s fully automatic – these are wartime weapons that we’re seizing," Baker said.

Last year, the Fort Myers Police Department took 342 illegal weapons off the streets. And since the inception of the Illegal Gun Bounty program, that number is steadily on the rise.

“The potential for violence is out there. It’s your responsibility when you see something that’s not right, or you see a weapon that’s being carried illegal, you need to report it," Baker said.

Linda Vanasse’s son Ricardo Presas was shot to death in June 2009. She maintains hope that the criminal who brought a weapon to her son’s house, and shot him in his bedroom, will eventually face justice – and that someone come forward with information that can make that happen.

“I’d hate to believe that it’s that simple to go out and murder someone and get away with it," Vanasse said.

Chief Baker says getting involved, and calling in anonymous tips, and getting those illegal weapons off the streets, is how the violence can end.

“I do not believe that we are going to be able to arrest our way out of having safer communities – it’s going to come down to prevention," Baker said.

Anyone with information on illegal weapons, or convicted criminals carrying weapons, is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for up to $1,000 in cash rewards.