DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – Police and firefighters are asking North Texans to keep safety in mind when celebrating the new year.
The Dallas Police Department is cracking down on celebratory gunfire and illegal use of fireworks this New Year’s holiday.
“We’ll have inspectors that will be riding out with our Officers and they will be taking enforcement action regarding fireworks, as well as random gunfire,” Deputy Chief Rick Watson said.
According to DPD, penalties for celebratory gunfire can bring a year in jail and up to $4,000 dollars in fines. Jail time and fines would be steeper if someone loses their life. Nearly 1,200 reports of fireworks and random shooting were made last year in Dallas between 10 p.m. New Year’s eve and 2 a.m. New Year’s day.
Police warn that random gunfire often leads to injury and in some cases can be deadly. According to Dallas Fire-Rescue, fireworks injuries typically involve burns to the hands or face. It is illegal to set off fireworks in city limits.
Listen to Clayton Neville’s story below:
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