Authorities Discourage Individuals From Firing Guns During NYE Celebrations
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and a few other law enforcement officers discouraged individuals Thursday from firing guns in the air during New Year's Eve celebrations.
In addition to Wednesday's Gun Buyback program, Mayor Villaraigosa, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the District Attorney's Office have launched "The Gunfire Reduction Campaign".
"This campaign is designed to help reduce incidents of indiscriminate gunfire that, while on the decline, has continued to be a deadly tradition in our County and City," authorities said in a statement.
Thousands of "Don't Shoot" flyers and posters have been distributed informing the public of the dangers of being irresponsible with firearms.
Shotspotter, a technological tool that can pinpoint gunfire within a few feet of where shots were fired, will assist deputies in locating people with guns.
"This is beneficial because it can tell the Deputies where the suspect is located and the data allows them to develop violence suppression strategies and tactical plans. This has been extremely successful in our crime fighting initiative and one of many tools that help decrease crime in the County," Sheriff Lee Baca said.
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