TAMPA, Fla.- The Tampa Police Department announced a new pilot program in partnership with the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative (HCPLC) to offer free gun locks to the community.
The Tampa Police Department's "Project Locked and Unloaded” currently offers free gunlocks that can be picked up at any district office or police headquarters. The program was launched to encourage gun owners to properly safeguard their firearms. Free gun locks will now be provided at four libraries in the City of Tampa.
“This new partnership with the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative (HCPLC) will increase accessibility and allow us to better serve our community,” said Chief Bercaw. “ I encourage gun owners to take advantage of the free gun lock program and secure firearms properly.”
“Public libraries across America work hard to create a safe space for the youth in our communities. We are so proud to partner with the Tampa Police Department to extend that safe space into the home through the Project Locked and Unloaded program,” said Andrew Breidenbaugh, Director, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library.
The locations participating in the initial launch will include the Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Public Library, the Jan K. Platt Regional Library, the North Tampa Branch Library, and the New Tampa Regional Library.