New Year's Eve Safety

Riverside, Ca- The Riverside Police Department wishes the community a very Happy New Year and wants to remind everyone to have a safe New Year’s Eve. During this holiday season please be responsible and do not fire a gun to celebrate the beginning of the New Year. Please consider that:

• It is extremely dangerous to shoot guns in the city and surrounding areas and it is also a Felony, punishable by confinement in the state prison.

• The reckless shooter of a gun can be arrested, and if convicted, sentenced to county jail or prison and surrender their right to further possess firearms.

• Reckless shooting can cause serious injury or even death!

• Reports of celebrative gunfire and resulting injuries are a drain on the resources of the Riverside Police and Fire Departments and might make them unavailable to respond to other emergency calls.

• The Riverside Police Department is urging the continued support of the entire community in discouraging this type of celebration and in persuading their friends, acquaintances and loved ones to not endanger others by firing guns on New Year’s Eve.

If you witness someone firing a gun, call 911 and report the activity. The person answering the telephone will ask questions on behalf of the officers responding to your call. Please give them as much information as possible about the shooting and the person doing the shooting so the officer can quickly and safely resolve the incident. In anticipation of the increase in these types of calls, the Department has assigned additional officers and supervisors to patrol for the evening.

Please enjoy the remainder of the holiday season and don’t endanger others with needless gunfire! The life you save may belong to someone you know and love.