Los Angeles: Every year, a substantial quantity of individuals throughout the City and County of Los Angeles engage in the extremely dangerous practice of discharging firearms into the air to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. In an effort to educate and warn the public of the issue, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the District Attorney’s Workplace have embarked upon an awareness campaign. This campaign is designed to assist reduce incidents of indiscriminate gunfire that, while on the decline, has continued to be a deadly tradition in our County and in our City.
The Gunfire Reduction Campaign aims to advise the community that celebrating the New Year with gunfire won’t be tolerated within the County and City of Los Angeles. California Penal Code Section 246.3 prohibits negligent discharging of firearms. Any person who violates Section 246.3 will have their firearm confiscated and will be arrested for a felony crime.
These days, LAPD Assistant Chief Sandy Jo MacArthur and LASD Sheriff Lee Baca held a news conference to publicize their concern about holiday-related celebratory gunfire. To make a significant impact on this issue, thousands of “Don’t Shoot” flyers and posters have been printed and distributed towards the community. It is the hope of each agencies that using the partnership from the media and the distribution of “Don’t Shoot” flyers, the public will be informed regarding the dangers and dire consequences of this irresponsible act.
In addition to the Gunfire Reduction Campaign, a technological tool called the Shotspotter is assisting Deputies within the field with locating individuals who fire guns. This piece of advanced technology is deployed within the Century and Compton Station areas and can pinpoint gunfire inside a couple of feet of exactly where the shots had been fired. “This is beneficial since it can tell the Deputies exactly where the suspect is situated and also the data allows them to develop violence suppression methods and tactical plans. This has been extremely effective in our crime fighting initiative and one of many tools that help decrease crime within the County” stated Sheriff Baca.
On July 4, 1999, Brian Perez, a young, outgoing, 9 year-old boy was playing with family members within the front yard of his home. Someone in the region shot a firearm into the sky and also the stray bullet struck Brian in the head, killing him. Assistant Chief MacArthur stated “Thankfully, because Brian Perez, and with the effectiveness of this Gunfire Reduction Campaign, there have been no recognized deaths by indiscriminate gunfire within the City of Los Angeles.”
The public is also reminded that toy replica guns that resemble actual weapons are also a concern for law enforcement officers and that playing with replica guns is strongly discouraged.
Together, the proud men and ladies of LAPD and LASD ask the public to Stop the senseless act of firing weapons into the air and CELEBRATE SAFELY.
In addition, ought to a shooting occur, members of the community are encouraged to call 9-1-1. To report info concerning a crime, please call 1-877-LAPD-24-7. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters might also get in touch with Crimestoppers by texting to telephone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) having a mobile phone. All text messages should start with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters might also visit www.LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts, or typing in: http://lacrimestoppers.org.
For much more information, please call LAPD Media Relations Section, at 213-486-5910, or the LASD’s Public Info Workplace, Nicole Nishida, at 323-810-1973.