The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and Prairie du Chien Police Department have joined other law enforcement agencies across the state to participate in a life-saving program that provides safe firearms storage for veterans at risk of suicide.
“Live Today — Put It Away,” a program affiliated with the Southeastern Wisconsin Veteran Suicide Prevention Task Force and the Captain John D. Mason Veteran Peer Outreach Program, includes gun shops, shooting ranges, and law enforcement agencies around the state.
By participating in the program, businesses and law enforcement agencies agree to securely store any firearms voluntarily brought in by gun owner’s struggling with thoughts of suicide or harm to others. Once the crisis has passed, the gun owner can reclaim their firearms.
“Safe storage of a firearm is critical when going through a crisis,” said Susan Smykal of the Captain John D. Mason Veteran Peer Outreach Program. “If an individual does not have a trusted family member, hunting buddy, gun locker, etc., they can contact their local firearm retailer or law enforcement agency who offers voluntary, temporary safe storage.”
"I'm very pleased to announce that Crawford County Sheriff Dale McCullick and Prairie du Chien Police Chief Kyle Teynor and their respective agencies have joined several businesses and other law enforcement agencies across the state to provide a safe firearms storage option for Veterans struggling with crisis," said Lt. Ryan Fradette of the sheriff's office. "We strongly encourage anyone who is struggling to seek help and take advantage of the numerous mental health and suicide prevention resources available."
"Please, do not be afraid or ashamed to ask for help," Fradette said. "We can help."
The Crawford County Sheriff's Office and the Prairie du Chien Police Department would like to thank Crawford County Public Health for introducing us to this program. We thank Smykal and the Captain John D. Mason Veteran Peer Outreach Program for helping us implement the program. Thanks for helping our Veterans and communities.