Although firing guns into the air on New Years Eve has been an longtime tradition in Key West, the cops have been cracking down in recent years. This year, cash rewards are being offered for information leading to the arrest of the gun-shooters.
"Standing outside and shooting a gun at random into the air to celebrate the new year could kill somebody," said Key West Police spokeswoman Cynthia Edwards. "A bullet could travel a mile or more through the air and come down with enough force to go through the roof or a house or a car— or somebody's head."
She said that anyone who hears gunfire is urged to report its source to 294-2511.
Crime Stoppers will pay cash rewards. The Crime Stoppers number is 1-800-346-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous.
The penalty for discharging a firearm in public could be a fine up to $1000 and/or as much as one year in jail. If the falling bullet hurts someone or damages property, much more serious charges could be pressed.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Based on the performance of the Police Dept. during Fantasy Fest— arresting and jailing women who playfully flashed their breasts for beads— it could go really bad on New Years Eve for shirtless women caught firing guns.
Celebratory gunfire became an issue here after New Years 1997 when residents of Bahama Village reported bullets falling on their roofs like hail.
That was also the year that Police Lt. Tom Chapp wrote a controversial letter to the editor, published in Key West The Newspaper and the Citizen, which seemed to condone the long-standing tradition of New Year's Eve gunfire in Bahama Village as a "cultural thing."
Not only was Chapp fired for writing the letter, but City Manager Julio Avael used it as part of his campaign to fire Police Chief Ray Peterson. He said the fact that Peterson "allowed" Chapp to publish the letter showed that Peterson couldn't control his troops.
In recent years, police have reported a dramatic reduction in New Years Eve gunfire.