Januaray 8, 2019 - Mesquite, TX - The City of Mesquite implemented its “Celebrate Safely” public education campaign and enforcement efforts on New Year’s Eve to address the illegal possession and use of fireworks and celebratory gunfire. Mesquite Police and Fire Department deployment teams issued seven citations for possession or use of fireworks and made two arrests for the discharge of a firearm. They also confiscated 26 pounds of illegal fireworks.
Mayor Stan Pickett said, “Our police and fire staff were doing everything they could that night to help curb fireworks and gunfire activity. We will continue to do all we can to keep Mesquite a safe place.”
The deployment teams were comprised of nine police officers, two fire investigators and three public service professionals. Prior to New Year’s Eve, the City had a big public education program. This included the use of median signage in both English and Spanish, social media and other communication platforms.
The City plans to use the data gathered from an operational heat map of activity to refine deployment areas in preparation for Independence Day fireworks and gunfire celebrations.