OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — The City of Omaha and the Omaha Police Department are encouraging citizens not to fire their guns in celebration over the holiday weekend, something that is a common issue in many cities.
"Sadly, it often has tragic results when innocent people are hit by the stray bullets and are injured or killed," the city said in a press release. "The reality is that any bullet discharged from a gun, even into the sky, must land somewhere, and when it does, the risk of injury or death is significant.
During the upcoming holiday period, the police department will be deploying patrol officers in specific areas of the city that have the highest amount of illegal celebratory gunfire and fireworks activity as recorded by ShotSpotter on New Year’s Eve and July 4th last year.
Additionally, officers will communicate with residents in those areas prior to the holiday weekend to reinforce the city policies around celebratory gunfire. During the holiday period, officers will respond to all ShotSpotter activations throughout the city, and particularly in hotspot areas, and will arrest anyone caught discharging a firearm in public.
"As normal, officers will be deployed throughout the city to maintain the peace, prevent crime and violence, and arrest drunk drivers," the city said.
