New anti-violence initiative announced

PROVIDENCE, RI (WPRI)- Providence residents and local leaders have had enough with the recent violence in the capital city.

Mayor Angel Taveras and Providence police announced the launch of an anonymous tip line that can be used to report illegal guns.

The new tip line is being launched in the hopes of curbing some recent violence.

Residents are calling for action after a recent stretch of five homicides in the city in less than a month.

"We will not accept violence in Providence, and taking guns off our streets has to be a community effort," said Mayor Taveras. "We need everyone to be fully engaged in the effort to bring peace to our neighborhoods. The Illegal Gun Tip Line is a way for citizens to make our community a better place to live, work and go to school by telling what they know about people carrying illegal guns."

Citizens can provide tips by calling 1-855-776-7100 or by texting 'PPDTIP' plus the information to CRIMES (274637).

An anonymous web form is also available at http://crimereports.com .

The capital city is also offering cash rewards of up to $1,000 for people who provide information that results in the confiscation of an illegal firearm.

Sims Metal Management provided the city with a $30,000 grant to establish the tip line as a program for this summer and next.