Philadelphia Officials Plead For Gunfire-Free New Year’s Eve Celebrations

CBS News (Philly) ^ | 12/31/2012 | Pat Loeb

[Kid Shelleen]

District attorney Seth Williams and police commissioner Charles Ramsey today made their annual plea to Philadelphians not to fire guns into the air to celebrate the arrival of the new year. They say it’s a dangerous practice that can have tragic consequences, and they promised strict enforcement of laws prohibiting the practice.

It’s an annual reminder that, apparently, isn’t reaching its target audience.

Greg Jaskolka used to look forward to New Year’s traditions like watching the ball drop, banging pots, and kissing his family.

Now, his annual tradition is pushing his wheelchair-bound son, Joe, to police headquarters to put a human face on the consequences of so-called “celebratory” gunfire.

[Kozak]

Chicago PD used to ground their chopper on New Year’s Eve to avoid all the random fire the idiots would unleash...

[Tired of Taxes]

My father went over and berated them for their stupidity. He told them if they wished to pop off a few rounds to celebrate New Years, at least have the common sense to use blank ammo.

Good for your dad. Using blanks is a good idea.

In Philly, these aren't "gangbangers" (as many here are supposing) who are celebrating by firing into the sky. It's just a longstanding tradition among Philadelphians - particularly in South Philly, from what I remember.

[bmwcyle]

I was just up around Philly to see my Uncle. I was armed.