HOUSTON, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Houston police, members of the city council and Crime Stoppers are cautioning city residents not to ring in the New Year by discharging firearms.
"Over the last six years there have been more than 200 reports of discharges of firearms. It's a cultural thing, mostly on New Years Eve -- but it can happen during any celebratory event like the Fourth of July, a wedding, or a birthday," a Houston Police public information officer told United Press International. "In the last six years there have been no reports of deaths from celebratory discharge of firearms -- but there have been injuries, this is a huge public safety issue."
Crime Stoppers is urging residents of Houston to call the police or Crime Stoppers if they hear or see anyone firing a weapon on New Years Eve.
"This is unacceptable behavior on New Year's, that we're here to protect our citizens and our community and be good citizens and good neighbors," Houston City Council member-elect Brenda Stardig told KTRK-TV-Houston. "If you know of someone that is discharging a firearm to call Crime Stoppers if you're not comfortable calling the police."
Firing a gun into the air is a misdemeanor. If convicted, a person faces up to a year in prison and $4,000 fine.
