News List
Atlanta Police Encourage Safe New Year's Eve Celebration
Department Launches, "Think Before You Drink" social Media Capaign
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Atlanta Police Department Public Affairs |
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Elizabeth Espy, APD Public Affairs Director |
News Release
Atlanta Police Encourage Safe New Year's Eve Celebration
Department Launches, "Think Before You Drink" social Media Capaign
The Atlanta Police Department is encouraging citizens to think before drinking when celebrating the New Year’s Eve holiday. The social media campaign urges citizens to designate a driver, use MARTA, take a cab or utilize other modes of transportation before ringing in the New Year.
The Department is also urging citizens to refrain from celebrating with gun fire. Celebratory gun fire is the act of shooting bullets into the air which can cause property damage, bodily injury and even death once the bullets come back down. Celebratory gun fire is a misdemeanor crime resulting in fines of up to $1,000.
A zero tolerance policy has been issued for any crime committed during the holiday celebrations and the Department will increase police presence in the Downtown Atlanta, Midtown and other areas. Safety zones will be established with officers visible at nearly every Downtown Atlanta street corner and surrounding areas. A variety of events are taking place in the city and the APD is offering a few tips to enjoy the city safely.
New Year’s Eve Tips:
- Think Before You Drink: Don’t drink and drive. If you plan on drinking, designate a driver, use MARTA, take a cab or utilize other modes of transportation.
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Celebrate safely: Don’t participate in celebratory gunfire. The act of pointing a gun towards the sky and firing shots into the air to commemorate an event or holiday is unsafe and against the law. In Atlanta, anyone caught firing a gun into the air could be charged with a misdemeanor and face a fine of up to $1,000.
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Prevent crime: Don’t make it easy for criminals to break into your vehicle. Follow the Atlanta Police Department’s Clean Car Campaign by removing all valuables including purses, cell phones, GPS navigation systems, laptops, tablet computers, firearms and other valuables from unattended vehicles.
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Plan ahead: Consider taking MARTA to events, or carpooling, to minimize the traffic volume expected in Downtown and Midtown Atlanta.
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Park Smart: Be mindful of parking only in permitted lots and be sure to pay attention to any “No Parking” signs to avoid citations or fines. Violators are also subject to having their vehicles towed and impounded. Also, be aware of possible road or lane closures due to events to plan your outings with minimal disruptions.
New Year’s Eve event listing (partial list)
- Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Parade, Downtown Atlanta (Parade begins at Baker Street near the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coke), December 31, 8:00 am – 9:00 am
- Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Fan Fest, Georgia World Congress Center, December 31, 8:00 am – noon
- Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Game, Houston vs. Florida State, Georgia Dome, December 31, 12:00 pm
- Peach Drop 2016, Underground Atlanta, December 31, 5:30 pm – 12:30 am
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