New York's Senator
CHARLES E. SCHUMER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 26, 2001

SCHUMER, US ATTORNEY UNVEIL PROJECT SAFE AD CAMPAIGN
Massive public awareness effort intended to deter gun crimes

Commercials slated to run on all Capital Region television stations
US Senator Charles E. Schumer today unveiled a public service advertisement campaign to promote Project SAFE (Strategically Applied Firearms Enforcement), the Capital Region's version of the NRA-endorsed federal program Project Exile that enforces strict sentencing guidelines for illegal gun possession.

"Project SAFE is not just about sending those who commit gun crimes to prison for a long time, it's also about prevention," Schumer said. "These ads are an integral part of the effort to send a message to criminals that if they use a gun they will get the maximum jail sentence possible. The ads will hopefully make criminals think twice before breaking the law."

The ads' theme -- "You + illegal gun = federal prison" -- is intended to deter would-be felons from committing gun crimes. The spots feature attorney Johnny Cochrane as well as stark footage of the federal prison system. Two additional ads produced by the not-for-profit Ad Council warn parents about the dangers of unlocked guns and urge them to keep guns out of their children's reach. The ads will run on all of the Capital Region's television stations.

"Every time criminals sit down to watch TV, they are going to be reminded that if they commit a gun crime, they will do the time," Schumer said. "When gun carrying criminals receive long prison sentences, they can't say we didn't warn them."

Project SAFE, known nationally as Project Exile, is a collaboration between local police and District Attorneys; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the US Attorney's Office to get illegal guns off the street. Working together, federal and local officials determine whether to use federal or state guidelines to ensure the toughest punishment possible for gun crimes. Prosecutions under Project Exile can add 2 to 4 years to a criminal's sentence, and the program has also been used to deny bail in three-fourths of the cases where the project has been involved.

"With Project SAFE, illegal gun runners are now in our sites and prosecutors are going after gun criminals with an unprecedented vigilance," Schumer said. Schumer delivered on a promise to bring Project SAFE to Albany last Spring when he announced that the Northern District of New York, which includes Albany and Syracuse, would receive over $500,000 to implement its version of Project Exile, including the funding for the publicity campaign.

"Project SAFE is a vital part of the Capital Region's efforts to keep illegal guns off of the streets," said Schumer. "I am going to keep working with the US Attorney's office to ensure that this program is funded and that law enforcement has the tools it needs to protect our streets from the terror of violence."

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