Houston authorities are offering $5,000 rewards to anyone who reports celebratory gunfires that lead to arrests on New Year’s Eve.
On Thursday, Mayor Sylvester Turner announced Houston’s new initiative to keep the holiday safe for everyone. Turner, along with the fire and police chief, made the announcement during a press conference on how they plan to handle drunk driving and celebratory gunfires.
“What goes up, must come down. It will come down with more force and velocity,” Mayor Turner said.
The Houston mayor also reminded the public of last year’s festivities that led to nearly 400 celebratory gunfire calls and two people injured, including an 8-year-old child.
“It’s unsafe and downright dangerous, and we want to put an end to it,” Houston Police Department Chief Troy Finner added.
In addition, firing gunshots into the air is not only dangerous but also illegal.
“Discharging a firearm is a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine,” Turner explained.
Crime Stoppers typically only offer rewards to people reporting felonies. However, they have decided to make an exception for this holiday season in order to keep the unnecessary violence at a minimum.
“There is no need for anybody to lose their life by someone needlessly firing a gun, a firearm, or a pistol into the air,” Crime Stoppers Houston’s Andy Kahn said.
Turner also reminded the public that fireworks are illegal in the city of Houston and could cause extreme injuries and house fires.
