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Police encourage everyone to have a safe New Year’s Eve

Officers from every unit of the Richmond Police Department will be out in full force on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day this year, working to crack down on drunk drivers as well as celebratory gunfire.

“We work year round to keep the city a safe place to live, work and play and while we realize that the New Year’s Eve holiday is a time people like to let loose, that doesn’t give them a free pass to break the law,” Deputy Chief Eric English said.

Officers and detectives will be divided among the Department’s four precincts based on the analysis of previous years’ data on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day incidents.

“The majority of calls for New Year’s involve people firing guns in the air, especially at the midnight hour,” English said. “We encourage people to use some common sense. Reckless handling of firearms endangers everyone. Bottom line: It is illegal to fire a weapon in the city limits.”

The Richmond Police Department would like to remind citizens they also have a role in New Year’s Eve safety. If you’re going to drink, make sure you don’t drive. Partygoers are asked to have a designated driver or travel by taxi to eliminate having drunk drivers. In large party crowds, try to remain aware of your surroundings at all times and travel in pairs or in groups.

“We want everyone to have fun but also to ring in the new year safely,” English said.