Rockland law enforcement removed 114 weapons from the streets during two buyback events in Haverstraw and Spring Valley.
The Rockland District Attorney’s Office and Haverstraw police reported buying 94 assorted weapons, including handguns and rifles, on Saturday, June 7. The gun buys cost $20,450.
The Rockland Sheriff’s Office purchased 20 weapons on Thursday, June 5, in conjunction with the Spring Valley and Ramapo police departments, the District Attorney’s Office, and other law enforcement agencies. Chief Ted Brovarski said the weapons purchases cost $2,325,
District Attorney Thomas Walsh hailed the buyback held at Haverstraw Village Hall as a “great success.” The Haverstraw haul on June 7 included 65 handguns, eight assault rifles, and 21 rifles or shotguns, authorities said.
“I am very pleased with the number of guns collected this weekend at our gun buyback event in Haverstraw,” Walsh said. “Every one of the guns collected on Saturday is a step in the right direction to reduce gun violence and ensure the safety of our citizens.”
The Sheriff’s Office on June 5 purchased two assault-type weapons, 11 rifles and shotguns, and seven pistols, Chief Ted Brovarski said.
Removing illegal guns from the streets has been one of the District Attorney’s Office’s priorities with police departments.
The ground rules for the buybacks include that guns can be turned in anonymously, no identification is required, and no questions asked. Licensed gun dealers and active or retired law enforcement were not eligible to participate in this program.
Payments for surrendered guns were made by pre-paid gift cards for the following amounts:
Officials say stats show reported gun violence dropping
The buybacks have been held across the state as part of an attempted law enforcement crackdown on gun-involved violence and crime, authorities have said.
Gun violence is purportedly dropping across New York so far in 2025, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office and the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, known as DCJS.
Following record-low shootings reported in 2024, shootings declined 9% and victims of gun violence decreased 15% from January 1, 2025, through April 30, compared to the same period last year, according to DCJS.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the murder rate in New York declined by 8% from 2023 to 2024. Mortality data shows that New York has the second-lowest homicide rate of the top 15 most populous states and the lowest homicide rate of the top 10 states.
Steve Lieberman covers government, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations. Reach him at slieberm@lohud.com. Twitter: @lohudlegal. Read more articles and bio. Our local coverage is only possible with support from our readers.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: How many guns were removed from streets in two Rockland County buybacks?
Reporting by Steve Lieberman, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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