Law enforcement cracks down on celebratory gunfire in the Triangle

New Year's Eve celebrations bring a lot of excitement as many people come together for a good time.

It can also be dangerous.

Law enforcement agencies are stepping up their resources to combat celebratory gunfire Sunday.

Fireworks took over the midnight sky as many rang in the new year.

Unfortunately, fallen bullets from some of those gatherings have become a problem in the triangle.

"If they get shot in the air, they have to go somewhere. They're going to land somewhere," Lieutenant Bradley Hecox of the Wake County Sheriff's Office said.

In response to two recent fatal celebratory gunfire incidents, Durham police released a PSA reminding residents of the dangers of firing guns into the air.

"It's almost no way for us to figure out who did this because when you have who knows how many people shooting in the air, it can be any one of those bullets from up to a mile and a half away," Police Officer in Durham PSA video said.

According to the Durham Police Department', 10 percent of the city's sound of shots calls in 2022 happened on January 1, July 4, and December 31.

Durham 911 received a total of 234 sound-of-shot calls on those three days, which was an average of 78 calls per day.

"If people don't shoot their guns in the air, they won't be falling to the ground," Durham PSA said.

This year, Rocky Mount is stepping up its efforts to catch those in the act.

"We will have a zero-tolerance approach to all outdoor gunfire violations that occur within the city limits," Rocky Mount police PSA said.

Based on previous New Year's Eve data, Epatrol officers will be deployed in high-activity areas.

Officers there will also use ShotSpotter alerts to help respond to calls.

The goal of agencies across the Triangle is to ensure everyone can make it into 2024 safely.

"If they are going to be celebrating, keep the firearms secured in safes, and if they're going to be using fireworks, of course, legal fireworks, again gun powder and alcohol do not mix," Hecox said.

In Durham, anyone caught firing a gun into the air could be charged with a class 3 misdemeanor and face a fine of up to $500.