Houston Mayor Urges Houstonians To Have A Safe 2019 Celebration

HOUSTON, TX — Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and members of the public safety community held a press conference on Monday to advise Houstonians to enjoy New Year's Eve and celebrate safely.

"I want you to have a happy and healthy new year, but I also want you to be safe and think about the safety of your friends, your family members, as well as your neighbors," he said.

Turner said he was especially concerned with people engaging in celebratory gunfire by firing guns into the air, and using fireworks in the city limits, which are illegal.

"For some reason it has become a tradition for some people to discharge their guns into the air to bring in the New Year," Turner said. "The sound of indiscriminate gunfire strikes fear in a lot of hearts and minds, and rightfully so. What goes up, must come down."

Last New Year's Eve, the Houston Police responded to more than 1,500 calls for gunfire and fireworks in less than 24 hours.

Turner said celebratory gunfire is not only dangerous, but it's also illegal and lead to serious charges.

"I have personally treated children shot in the mouth, in the head, and in the chest by stray bullets," said Dr. Bindi J. Naik-Mathuria, trauma director for Texas Children's Hospital. "These are preventable injuries."

Turner said he is also concerned about injuries from illegal fire works as well as the possibility of structure fires.

Between Dec. 29, 2017, and Jan. 2018, the Houston Fire Department responded to nine structure fires from fireworks, as well as fires in Dumpsters and grass fires, Turner said.

"If you're caught discharging fireworks illegally, the fine ranges from $500 to 2,000 per incident," Houston Fire Chief Samuel Pena said.

Meanwhile, police will be on the look out this weekend for drunk drivers. Law enforcement officials launched No Refusal Weekend on Dec. 28, which means suspected drunk drivers will be compelled to submit to a breathalyzer test.

If they refuse, they will have their blood drawn, said Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo.

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