CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Charleston Police announced a program Monday they hope will lower the number of gun crimes in the city.

The program includes rewards of $100 for informants who bring police information that leads to the arrest of someone for possessing an illegal gun, and for anyone who allows the police to "buy back" a gun.

Representatives of the city, along with U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin and Kanawha County Prosecutor Mark Plants, attended to show their support of "Project Gun Safe."

"This is really about partnership and networking with the community, which is why we have so many groups here," said Charleston Police Chief Brent Webster. "That is how this is going to work."

The program also includes an effort to document firearms held legally within the city. Charleston police will be giving out safety locks to citizens that voluntarily provide a firearm inventory card for each gun they own to the Charleston Police Department.

The firearm inventory cards will also be given out so that people can store them separately of their guns for a record of serial numbers in case they get stolen, Webster said.

Money for the program will come from the city's asset forfeiture funds, he said. Currently there is about $190,000 in the fund, Webster said.

"We can always try harder to be everywhere all the time but that's not always going to happen," Webster said. "We need the community's help."

Webster said the initiative has been in the planning since at least May, going to community meetings and laying the groundwork. He said the community's response has been overwhelmingly positive.

"Gun violence, as everyone in this room knows, damages the fabric of a community like no other," Goodwin said. "Often it sparks a cycle of retaliation that lasts for years and sparks anger and bitterness. ... The best way to stop it is to get guns out of the hands of offenders."

Plants said that in conjunction with the initiative, he was making two changes in his office.

He said for anyone convicted of a crime while in possession of an illegal gun, he would start asking for the maximum penalty at sentencing. Plants also plans to start having a prosecutor from his office at the arraignment of anyone accused of committing a gun crime so that they can ask for a property bond on the person.

"I think what's exciting about this is it truly puts communities first," Plants said.

On Aug. 28, Charleston police will announce specific plans to educate children within the city about gun violence, Webster said.

"As someone who has lived their whole life on the West Side and knows the good of the West Side, I think this as a great idea," said Delegate Meshea Poore, D-Kanawha, who attended the press conference. "We have everyone partnering up. We can't do it without each other."

Reach Gary Harki at gha...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5163.