HOUSTON – Houston city leaders, including Mayor Sylvester Turner, police chief Troy Finner, and fire chief Sam Pena held a news conference on Wednesday encouraging residents to celebrate New Year’s safely.
This was Mayor Turner’s first working day back since he tested positive for COVID-19.
Vice Mayor Pro-Tem Martha Castex-Tatum, District I councilmember Robert Gallegos, District H councilmember Karla Cisneros and District J councilmember Edward Pollard also joined the Mayor.
Turner emphasized that both celebratory gunfire and fireworks are illegal within the city limits. He also warned that celebratory gunfire remains a problem in the city of Houston year after year.
City leaders said that anyone caught firing a gun up in the air will face jail time of up to one year, pay a fine of $4,000, or both. For illegal fireworks, Chief Pena said expect to pay between $500 to $2,000 in fines if caught setting off fireworks.
“What goes up, must come down,” Turner said. “[Bullets] will come down with force and velocity. Engaging with this dangerous activity puts our neighbors, friends, family and especially children at risk for potentially tragic situations.”
Turner is working with local state representatives to pass a bill that criminalizes celebratory gunfire in Texas. They hope to pass it during the next legislative session.
Chief Finner added that extra HPD units will be out “in full force” throughout the city, from undercover officers to patrol units.
“There is nothing to celebrate when you’re breaking the law,” Finner said. “If you shoot that gun up in the air, and we catch you, no bones about it. You are going to jail.”