ALBANY, N.Y. - New Yorkers could get paid for reporting illegal gun owners.
NEWS10 has learned that a letter from the Division of Criminal Justice Services has been circulated to the Association of Police Chiefs that explains there is a hotline encouraging New Yorkers to report people who own illegal guns.
The hotline will be open 24 hours a day and connects to State Police, who pay for the service.
Tipsters can stay anonymous but if the tip is founded, the caller could receive a $500 reward.
Division of Criminal Justice Services says the program has been in place for more than a year and is aimed only at getting illegal crime guns off the streets.
Governor Cuomo's office says this initiative does not link to the SAFE Act, and that these letters are sent out every few months.
The toll-free number for reporting illegal guns is 1-855-GUNS-NYS (486-7697).
NEWS10 has learned that a letter from the Division of Criminal Justice Services has been circulated to the Association of Police Chiefs that explains there is a hotline encouraging New Yorkers to report people who own illegal guns.
The hotline will be open 24 hours a day and connects to State Police, who pay for the service.
Tipsters can stay anonymous but if the tip is founded, the caller could receive a $500 reward.
Division of Criminal Justice Services says the program has been in place for more than a year and is aimed only at getting illegal crime guns off the streets.
Governor Cuomo's office says this initiative does not link to the SAFE Act, and that these letters are sent out every few months.
The toll-free number for reporting illegal guns is 1-855-GUNS-NYS (486-7697).
