LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — With the new year quickly approaching, the City of Little Rock and the Little Rock Police Department are reminding residents that the personal use of fireworks and celebratory gunfire violates city code and is illegal.
The city said personal firework usage and celebratory gunfire are prohibited within the city limits. Additionally, Little Rock officials said celebratory gunfire is especially dangerous as "stray bullets could cause death, injury and property damage."
Little Rock police said the city created a temporary email account for people to report non-emergency fireworks violations. The address will be monitored from Dec. 29 at 5:00 p.m. until Jan. 2 at 7:00 a.m.
Anyone who wants to report illegal fireworks activity is urged to email LRPDfireworksviolations@littlerock.gov.
According to the City of Little Rock, all messages received through the email account will be reviewed by the Little Rock Emergency Communications officials and assigned to a police officer. Residents will receive automated acknowledgments, but should not expect direct contact with an officer.
Gunfire, injuries, and other emergencies should be reported to 911. Non-emergency reports can be made to (501) 371-4829.
The Little Rock Police Department said 911 calls increased last year from 115 during the hour leading up to midnight on New Year's Day to 233 in the hour from midnight until 1:00 a.m.