SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Springfield Police Chief Ken Scarlette and the Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives of the Chicago Field Division announced the formation of a new initiative with the goal of cutting back on gun crime.
The Springfield Firearms Task Force, a collaborative effort among federal and local law enforcement, investigates and prosecutes violent firearm crimes.
The Task Force is made up of officers from the Springfield Police Department, special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as sworn federal task force officers from the Springfield Police Department.
The partnership started in fall 2024.
Individuals identified as being involved in firearm-related violence, including “straw purchasers” who buy guns for someone else, will be referred to the appropriate prosecutorial office for potential prosecution.
The Task Force will also direct its resources to investigate felons who unlawfully possess firearms, drug traffickers who possess and use firearms, and individuals that possess aftermarket devices that convert semi-automatic firearms into machineguns, commonly referred to as “switches”.
The Springfield Police Department has been using the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, enabling the Task Force to use Crime Gun Intelligence to help in firearms investigations.
NIBIN, administrated nationally by ATF, is the only national network which houses interstate automated ballistic imaging. The NIBIN Program automates ballistics evaluations by comparing shell casing evidence collected from shooting scenes, enabling law enforcement to link shooting incidents within their jurisdiction, in neighboring jurisdictions, and to others across the country.
“The Springfield Police Department remains committed to utilizing all resources possible to not only reduce senseless gun violence in our community, but also ensure those responsible are held accountable,” said Chief Scarlette of the Springfield Police Department. “Ongoing relationships with our federal partners of the ATF will act as a force multiplier in our commitment to keep the citizens of our community safe from these heinous crimes.”
“This unique mission, working closely with our local and state law enforcement partners in concert with Springfield Police, is vital to holding accountable those responsible for the gun violence in our communities,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon, of the Chicago Field Division. “This partnership, in conjunction with the ability to utilize Crime Gun Intelligence via tracing recovered firearms and comparing ballistic evidence within NIBIN, is a game changer. It will help us pinpoint the few individuals responsible for violent crime in the community and hold them accountable.”
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