ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Looking to help get unwanted guns off the street, the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) partnered with other organizations for an end-of-the-year gun buyback. Saturday's event was held near the University and Avenida Cesar Chavez intersection, with APD teaming up with New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence, ACS, and the University New Mexico. Anyone who brought an unwanted gun was able to trade it in for cash. APD says over 70 guns were turned in during the first hour, giving out over $10,000. They also say these events help the public be less victimized by criminals. Albuquerque Police arrest man for deadly shooting at motel in November "We've had 38 firearms this month taken in residential or commercial burglaries in the city of Albuquerque. Getting these firearms off the street is just one less tool that criminals can use to steal firearms and victimize the public with them. We're more than happy to take them and get them off the streets," says Commander Ray Del Greco with University Area Command. APD says the turnout on the gun buybacks has been so good, that they're looking into the event more often. Guns turned in are destroyed and turned into gardening tools, musical instruments, and art pieces. Police will try to return any gun determined to be stolen to its rightful owner.