In 2024, we’re directing the community’s attention to violent crime in Springfield and how we, as a collective community, can help reduce the impact of these crimes.
For several years, gun violence and shots fired have been and continue to be the top concern for the Springfield Police Department. Whether you own a legal firearm or are a citizen concerned about the safety of the community, there are steps you can take to help keep Springfield safe.
Responsible gun ownership
If you own a legal firearm, make a commitment now to be a responsible gun owner.
As a responsible gun owner, you should never leave your firearm in your vehicle’s glove box, center console or under the front seat. Make it a best practice to always secure your firearm before you leave the house.
There are many options available for making your firearm secure at home. Invest in a gun locker for individual handguns or a large gun safe capable of securely storing multiple firearms. You want to ensure that children and untrained individuals can’t find it and cause accidental harm to themselves or others. Gun locks are another safety precaution you can take to make a gun inoperable to someone other than yourself.
Finally, be prepared just in case your firearm is stolen. Make a list of the serial numbers of your firearms and store them in a safe place. Having this information readily available can help with the potential recovery of your firearm.
Situational awareness
Trust your intuition. If you feel unsafe, remove yourself from the location and situation.
If you see or hear a crime occurring, help us by calling 911. Information from you is essential to finding the people responsible. If you see anything suspicious, call 911 so an officer can respond. If you think you hear gunshots, always call 911. Don’t assume someone else will call.
By the way, if you have a security system or video doorbell, your cameras could help us solve crime. Scan the QR code to fill out a form at springfieldmo.gov. We can’t access your cameras. If something happens near you, we’ll call you to ask if we can review your footage for evidence.