Commander Hanson said why some people are compelled to fire shots into the air is often simple, albeit simple-minded: “To some people it’s just the same as banging on pots and pans or blowing on noise makers, but it’s certainly far from the safest thing you can do to celebrate the New Year.”Like all other law enforcement agencies, the Santa Paula Police Department will have more personnel on-duty for New Year’s Eve. “We’ll have more officers out on patrol…we gear up to have extra people on duty when we have all sorts of activities in town, including New Year’s Eve.”Commander Hanson said to start the New Year right: “Don’t drink and drive…if you have a party make sure each group has a designated driver who isn’t drinking,” and have a pot of coffee for everyone to have a cup before leaving. A drunk driver arrest is humiliating and expensive, a cost that could go on for years when higher automobile insurance payments are factored in. But even worse is subjecting yourself and others to harm – even death - when a drunk driver is behind the wheel.
Pots & pans beat firing guns, driving drunk New Year’s Eve
December 29, 2004
Santa Paula News
Although incidents of New Year’s Eve gunshots – those firing into the air to celebrate the stroke of midnight – have lessened over the years, it is still a strong safety concern according to a Santa Paula Police official.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesAlthough incidents of New Year’s Eve gunshots – those firing into the air to celebrate the stroke of midnight – have lessened over the years, it is still a strong safety concern according to a Santa Paula Police official. New Year’s Eve is Friday night and many people will have parties to celebrate the coming of 2005.“Last New Year’s Eve was better than it has been in the past, but every year there are some,” said SPPD Commander Mark Hanson. Some people pull out pots and pans to bang together at the stroke of midnight to welcome the New Year with a bang, but Commander Hanson noted that shooting a gun in the air is very risky business.“Years ago we had someone struck by a bullet,” that was believed to have been fired into the air and “We’ve had them come down into cars, through the roofs of mobile homes and into patios,” noted Commander Hanson. “When you start mixing guns and alcohol it’s just the recipe for disaster.” Those firing guns into the air are subject to arrest or citation, “depending on the circumstances,” he noted.
