nothin Cops, Advo Scribe Team Up On Gun Message | New Haven Independent

Cops, Advo Scribe Team Up On Gun Message

bumper%20sticker.JPGIn an effort to encourage people to call the Gun Tip-Line, city cops sponsored a bumper sticker contest. The winning slogan (pictured) — penned and designed by an Advocate duo — - reads: I’d Rather NOT Be Shooting a Gun.”

avery%20and%20arnott.JPGThe project was spearheaded by Officer Joe Avery, pictured with slogan scribe Chris Arnott, managing editor of the New Haven Advocate.

The chief asked me to come up with a bumper sticker. I threw around some ideas but then I thought, Let’s make this fun and get the public involved,’” Avery said.

The contest and Tip-Line are part of a larger effort to stop gun violence in New Haven. The contest was completed a couple of months ago, but there was too much going on in the city (gun violence, armed patrols, etc.), said Avery.

This went to the back burner.”

Twenty-five designs were received and posted on the third floor of the police station. All officers and passers-by had the opportunity to pick the one they like, fill out a secret ballot and drop it in a box. Over 200 votes were cast.

arnott%20and%202.JPGThe design was entered by the whole staff of the Advocate. Arnott wrote the text and Production Manager Matthew Ford did the design. Arnott rolled up with a stroller for two and said a few words before affixing a sticker on the bumper of a newly washed police cruiser, with the help of his daughters, pictured.

It turns out the police department has the same sense of humor that I have,” said Arnott, in reference to the double meaning of the sticker. With the sticker on a police car, it’s also implying that the police officer would rather not be shooting a gun.

That’s the way I read it,” said Avery.

This is a genuine thing,” said Arnott. Not a snarky Advocate thing.”

The bumper stickers will go on approximately 60 police cars, the ones that patrol regularly. They are also available to the public at 1 Union Avenue and at the substations. The Tip-Line number is 203 – 946-8244.

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