Police and fire officials in Dallas and Fort Worth are urging residents to celebrate New Year’s Eve responsibly, warning against celebratory gunfire, fireworks, and impaired driving as departments ramp up patrols and monitoring for the holiday.
In Dallas, authorities highlighted the dangers of random shots being fired into the air, noting that bullets must come down and can cause serious harm.
“Gunfire, always know if a bullet goes up it has to come down, and one of the things we don’t want to do is just have random gunfire going in the air knowing that these bullets have to come down,” Police Chief Daniel Comeaux said at a news conference. “… It could hurt someone or kill someone. … Killing someone would alter their life and your life forever.”
Comeaux said the practice is illegal and tied up emergency lines last year with about 865 gunfire-related calls. He also stressed that fireworks are banned in the city, adding that there will be extra officers on duty to enforce the rule.
To prevent impaired driving, Comeaux advised planning ahead to use designated drivers.
“If you are going to drink, do it very responsibly. Don’t drink and drive. Prepare in advance; make sure you have a designated driver. It’s not worth it. It’s not worth changing your life and someone else’s life,” he said.
The department has handled 485 DWI incidents so far this year and aims to avoid adding to that total.
Dallas Fire Chief Justin Ball emphasized shared responsibility for safety. “If you see something, say something. If your neighbour is doing something clearly unsafe, just pop over there and give them a friendly word, or call 311. Either way, you are doing them a favour,” he said.
Ball warned that fireworks pose fire risks to people, animals, and property, urging residents to attend public displays instead. He also advised against leaving cooking unattended, placing candles near flammables, and barbecuing on apartment porches, which can lead to smoldering fires. Live Christmas trees should be watered or discarded to prevent hazards.
“At the end of the day, our job is to keep you safe, but help us by keeping yourself and each other safe,” Ball added.
The departments are coordinating closely and will have extra officers on duty on December 31 and January 1. More than 3,000 calls were handled last New Year’s Eve, making it the busiest night of the year.
In neighboring Fort Worth, police are deploying increased patrols across all divisions, rapid-response specialized units in hotspots, and real-time technology to oversee crowds and events, according to a news release posted on Facebook.
Fort Worth Police Chief Eddie Garcia said there will be zero tolerance for criminal acts.
“We will not tolerate criminal behavior in our city. Our officers are positioned, our plan is in place, and anyone intent on disrupting public safety will be dealt with swiftly. If you see something that threatens safety, report it immediately,” he said.
Fort Worth residents can call 911 for emergencies, 817-392-4222 for non-emergencies, and 817-392-4444 to report fireworks.
Dallas residents can call 9-1-1 for emergencies and report non-emergency issues and illegal fireworks by dialing 3-1-1.
