Sheriff Issues New Years Reminder

With one of the biggest party nights of the year quickly approaching, the Ventura County Sheriff's Department has issued a reminder to avoid actions that could hurt you an others—and get you arrested.

Discharging a firearm into the air is a felony. The statement issued by the Sheriff's Department cited experts' reports that a bullet fired into the air can climb two miles and remain in flight for more than a minute. As it falls, the bullet reaches a velocity sufficient to penetrate a human skull.

Possession of fireworks is also a crime. The Sheriff's Department describes illegal fireworks as those that explode or have the capability of being shot into the air.

Finally, the department cautions against driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances. The Avoid the 14 DUI crackdown campaign is still in effect and law enforcement officials will be out and about to enforce the law.

If you see or hear someone discharging firearms, using illegal fireworks or driving under the influence, the Sheriff's Department requests you call 911 and report it.