Report of the 2002 New Year’s Eve Gunfire Reduction Efforts

"Report of the 2002 New Year’s Eve Gunfire Reduction Efforts"
 
Los Angeles – – Over the past several years, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) have teamed up to take the lead in addressing the issue of celebratory gunfire that traditionaly occurs as part of the New Year’s celebration. In partnership with the LASD and the Los Angeles Unified School District, the LAPD embarked on a two-pronged Gunfire Reduction Campaign, consisting of educating the public and employing the strategy of targeted enforcement. The 2002 Gunfire Reduction Campaign appears to have been a success. Though there was an increase in "shots fired" related calls this year over last year, the number of arrests made for indiscriminate gunfire this year, increased over the same for last year. Additionally, in the City of Los Angeles, there were no known injuries or fatalities as a result of celebratory gunfire activity.
In 2002, preliminary reports indicate that there were 519 shots fired-related calls in the City of Los Angeles. In 2001, that number was 393. For the years 2000 and 1999, those numbers were 500 and 580, respectively. In terms of the number of arrests made for indiscriminate gunfire (Penal Code Section 246.3), for the period encompassing the 2002 New Year’s Eve celebration that number is 15; compared to 11 arrests in the year 2001, eight arrests in 2000 and three (3) arrests in 1999.
For the 2002 period, 15 arrests were made for other gun-related charges and 25 guns were seized by Department personnel. For the 2001 period, there were 12 arrests for other gun-related charges and 33 guns were seized; for the 2000 period, 12 arrests for other gun-related charges and 22 guns seized; and for the 1999 period, eight (8) arrests for other gun-related charges and 16 guns seized.
On a side note, there was one gang-related shooting in the 3400 block of Division Street. The victim was transported to County USC Hospital by private vehicle and is expected to survive his injuries. Northeast Area detectives are investigating this incident.
This advisory was prepared by Lieutenant Horace Frank, Officer in Charge, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.