Chicago Police say 131 guns were recovered during a New Year’s Eve initiative, up from 83 guns recovered last year on the same day.
In total, 7,624 guns were taken off the streets in 2011, a release from police said. Supt. Garry McCarthy announced the recovery effort at a press conference on Wednesday.
Several types of guns were recovered on New Year’s Eve this year, including assault rifles, semi-automatic guns and handguns.
McCarthy also highlighted efforts in asking for the community’s help in catching the offenders involved in the murder of Chicago Police Officer Clifton Lewis on Dec. 29 in a West Side Austin neighborhood grocery.
"We are doing everything we can to bring their killers to justice and to take guns off the streets, so that other families do not have to suffer this tragic loss," he said.
There have been no arrests, and the pot of reward money offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Lewis' killer grows. Residents are encouraged to call (888) YPOSHOT with information.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined police officers and recruits Wednesday as they began a two-day effort to canvass the neighborhood by going door to door with fliers asking residents to come forward with information.
