Crime & Safety
APD New Year's Eve Celebration Warning, Tips, and Preparedness (No Gunfire)
Be Safe and Don't Get Arrested!
The Atlanta Police Department is warning residents against celebrating the New
Year with gun fire. Celebratory gun fire is a crime in which stray bullets from shooting a gun in the air can fall causing property damage, bodily injury and even death. There are number of cases when celebratory gunfire has lead to innocent deaths and injuries.
Moreover, celebratory fire is a misdemeanor charge and citizens can face fines up to $1,000.
The department is also urging residents not to drink and drive during the holiday. The APD encourages residents to designate a driver before celebrating and use MARTA or other modes of transportation. A zero tolerance policy has been issued for any crime committed during the New Year and the department will increase police presence in the Downtown Atlanta, Midtown and other areas.
The the Big Peach Drop, safety zones will be established with officers visible at nearly every downtown Atlanta street corner and surrounding areas. A pedestrian corridor will be set up around Underground Atlanta and bag checks will be conducted beginning at 5 p.m. for security purposes. Bags, backpacks, coolers, alcoholic beverages, weapons, pets, picnic baskets, bikes, inline skates, skateboards, lawn chairs will not be permitted in the event area. In order to ensure a smooth process at the checkpoints, event-goers are encouraged to refrain from attempting to bring those items into the venue. Peach Drop is a rain or shine event. For more information on the Peach Drop, visitors can refer to www.PeachDrop.com.
New Year’s Eve Tips:
Celebrate safely: Don’t participate in celebratory gunfire. The act of pointing a gun towards the sky and firing shots into the air to commemorate an event or holiday is unsafe and against the law. In Atlanta, anyone caught firing a gun into the air could be charged with a misdemeanor and face a fine of up to $1,000.
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Prevent crime: Don’t make it easy for criminals to break into your vehicle by keeping your car clean. Be sure to remove all valuables including purses, cell phones, GPS navigation systems, laptops, tablet computers, firearms and other valuables from unattended vehicles.
Plan ahead: Consider taking MARTA to events, or carpooling, to minimize the traffic volume expected in Downtown and Midtown Atlanta.
Find out what's happening in Midtownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Be aware: Always be aware of your surroundings, and call 9-1-1 to report any suspicious activity. Remember the department’s “See Something, Say Something” campaign to encourage vigilance for criminal activity.
Park Smart: Be mindful of parking only in permitted lots and be sure to pay attention to any “No Parking” signs to avoid citations or fines. Violators are also subject to having their vehicles towed and impounded. Also, be aware of possible road or lane closures due to events to plan your outings with minimal disruptions.
Chick-fil-a Bowl parade, downtown Atlanta, December 31, 1:00 pm
Chick-fil-a Bowl Fan Zone, Georgia World Congress Center, December 31, 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Duke Blue Devils vs. Texas A&M Aggies, Georgia Dome, December 31, 8:00 pm
Downtown Countdown New Year's Eve, Hyatt Regency Atlanta, December 31, 8:30 pm – 2:00 am
Peach Drop 2014, Underground Atlanta, December 31, 6:00 pm – 12:30 am.
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