Celebratory Gunfire 'Unfortunate Tradition' In Birmingham: Police

BIRMINGHAM, AL — As New Years Eve approaches, the Birmingham Police Department has launched a campaign to curb celebratory gunfire, which has become a common way to celebrate the new year.

The Birmingham PD introduced the Citywide Celebratory Gunfire Reduction Campaign, designed to bring awareness to the dangers of celebratory gunfire and reduce injury and property damage associated with this behavior.

"Unfortunately, celebratory gunfire has become a tradition in our city," Officer Truman Fitzgerald said. "Discharging a firearm in the city limits of Birmingham is against the law. By engaging in this careless behavior you risk the possibility of striking a person or pet causing serious injury or even death."

Fitzgerald said that although the Birmingham Police Department has made strides in reducing celebratory gunfire, the problem persists. Last year, the Birmingham Police Department responded to over 1200 ShotSpotter calls.

"The Birmingham Police Department will utilize various resources such as ShotSpotter gunfire detection system and the Real Time Crime Center along with officers working overlapping shifts to combat this dangerous problem," Fitzgerald said. "We have partnered with community leaders through video messaging to explain the dangers that their community faces with celebratory gunfire."