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December 28, 2007

Shooting guns within cities is against the law

By Kim Sloan

The possibility of drunk drivers always concerns law enforcement officers on New Year’s Eve and into New Year’s Day, but in recent years complaints of gunfire as the clock strikes midnight have also started to cause concern.

Dalton police have seen a “dramatic increase” in the number of incidences of gunfire, said spokeswoman Kristy Hunter. No injuries have been reported, but the potential is there for someone to get hurt by a stray bullet.

While the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office receives some calls about gunfire, most of that kind of behavior is confined to the city, said Maj. John Gibson with the sheriff’s office.

“Most of it is in the more populated areas, unfortunately,” Gibson said. “It is not as bad as it has been in the past (in the county).”

Dalton officers will most likely charge anyone caught firing off a gun with reckless conduct, Hunter said, a misdemeanor with a maximum punishment of a $1,000 fine and a year in jail.

Varnell Police Chief Tim Henderson said his department averages about 20 calls each New Year’s Eve. He said if officers there catch someone firing a gun the person can be charged not only with reckless conduct but with discharging a gun within the city limits. And if the offender is a convicted felon, he or she could face up to five years in prison for having a firearm, Henderson said.

“I have my entire force (four full-time officers and four part-time officers) working New Year’s Eve answering calls and doing road checks,” Henderson said.

Officers in Whitfield County will be on the road looking for drunk drivers after party-goers ring in the New Year. And they are likely to find them.

In Dalton, DUI arrests increased from 445 in 2005 to 586 to 2006. In the first 11 months of this year, 523 people were arrested for DUI in the city.

While specific numbers were not provided for New Year’s Eve, Hunter said, “Alcohol arrests are usually higher around New Year’s, but also around most other major holidays. I think the DUI arrest numbers are trending up due to increased enforcement efforts as part of our strategic plan.”

Dalton police will conduct periodic “walk throughs” of local bars, Hunter said, but police do not hover outside the establishments looking for revelers who may get out of control. Police will make arrests for public drunkenness.

“We do closely monitor traffic on the routes to and from these locations,” Hunter said.

Gibson said deputies will also be out looking for drunk drivers.

Along with local law enforcement officials, the Georgia State Patrol is increasing manpower. The agency is predicting 12 people will lose their lives on Georgia’s roadways during the 102-hour holiday period, which began at 6 p.m. on Friday and ends at midnight Tuesday. Last year, five people died during the New Year’s Eve holiday period, which was 72 hours.

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