City leaders remind residents of illegal celebratory gunfire ahead of New Year's Eve

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Metropolitan Police are reminding residents to ring in the new year safely without celebratory gunfire.

Video from previous years shows a barrage of gunfire on New Year's Eve with stray bullets hitting homes, windows, and businesses.

"As we look toward tomorrow's celebration and the excitement that 2025 will bring, we are here to remind everyone within the sound of our voices that guns have no place in your New Year's Eve celebrations," Mayor Tishaura Jones said.

On New Year's Eve in 2021, police say they received 542 calls for shots fired. Then in 2022, it jumped up to 684 calls. In 2023, the number dropped to 324.

"People go out on their front porch; they wish their neighbors a happy new year. There are children out there, people are in the streets celebrating; we have to keep it safe. As the chief said, what goes up must come down," St. Louis Fire Department Chief Dennis Jenkerson added.

Jones said the city is also following national trends with new regulations on short-term rentals with hopes to reduce crime.

"To make sure that we're keeping our short-term rental owners available and having the tools necessary to hold them accountable, so they are no longer nuisances in their neighborhoods," she said.

The fire and police departments are working together to keep people safe while they're out ringing in the new year.

That means you'll see more officers on the streets.

"We have additional officers throughout the city; days off canceled on a lot of individuals. Additional supervisors are out there, and we make sure that we're covering the city as best as possible to keep our city safe," SLMPD Chief Robert Tracy said.

Not only is celebratory gunfire dangerous, it is also illegal. Blair's Law—which was officially signed into law this year—bans celebratory gunfire across the state. The first offense is a class A misdemeanor, but it could carry felony charges with further offenses.

Police are also reminding everyone not to drink and drive.