The Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department have launched their annual awareness campaign against shooting into the air on New Year’ Eve. The campaign is designed to reduce incidents of indiscriminate gunfire that have continued to be a deadly tradition in Los Angeles County.

The California Penal Code prohibits negligent discharging of firearms, and the LAPD and sheriff’s department are taking a zero tolerance stance towards firing guns into the air on New Year’s Eve. Any person who is caught engaging in the practice will be arrested and charged with a felony, and will have their firearm confiscated.

On Dec. 27, LAPD assistant chief Sandy Jo MacArthur and Sheriff Lee Baca appealed to the public to report any holiday-related celebratory gunfire.  Thousands of “Don’t Shoot” flyers and posters have also been distributed to the community.

Authorities will also be using a computerized tool known as the “Shotspotter” to locate people who fire guns. The device can pinpoint gunfire within a few feet of where the shots were fired.

“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,” Baca said. “This has been extremely successful in our crime fighting initiative and one of many tools that help decrease crime in the county.”

Members of the community are encouraged to call 911 to report incidents of gunfire, or call the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station at (310)855-8850, or the LAPD at (877)LAPD-24-7.