The Wichita Police Department, the Sedgwick County chapter of the National Latino Peace Officers Association and the Historic Midtown Citizens Association are urging citizens to once again ring in the New Year safely. Celebrate Safely is an annual project to inform citizens about the dangers of celebratory gunfire, said Patrol North Bureau Commander Captain Jeff Easter.
“As part of the project, officers from the four police substations are distributing fliers reminding citizens that firing weapons into the air can be dangerous and is illegal,” Easter said.
City Council Member Sharon Fearey said celebrating the New Year with gunfire is dangerous.
“It’s important to begin each New Year safely,” said Fearey. “By ringing in 2009 without celebratory gunfire, all citizens can do their part to continue to make Wichita a safe and secure community. I encourage all citizens to have an enjoyable and safe New Year’s Eve.”
“We have noticed a sharp decline in ‘shots fired’ calls since we began to encourage citizens to celebrate safely,” said Easter. “In 2003, when the Celebrate Safely program began, Wichita Police officers responded to 24 such calls. The number of shots fired calls has declined since then, and in 2007 WPD officers responded to 18 such calls on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.”
City of Wichita Ordinance 5.88.20 calls for both fines and jail time for discharging a firearm in the city. For more information on Celebrate Safely, contact Captain Jeff Easter or Sergeant Santiago Hungria at 316-688-9500.
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