By Lyndy Berryhill

NATCHEZ — If Natchez residents start off 2017 with a bang inside city limits it could result in a tangle with law enforcement.

Natchez Police Department Detective Jerry Ford said it is illegal to discharge firearms and fireworks within the city limits.

“We’ll be out enforcing the law in regards to the fireworks,” Ford said.

Ford said the most important thing is for children and teenagers under the age of 18 be supervised by an adult while using fireworks.

“We will warn children the first time when we catch them … after that first warning we will issue a citation or it could even lead to an arrest,” Ford said.

Ford said some residents annually ring in the New Year by shooting guns into the air.

Ford said people should be mindful of the law as well as the dangers of shooting firearms into the sky.

He said police has had previous calls in which bullets have landed on vehicles and have fallen through roofs of local residences.

“If they would like to exercise their right to pop fireworks, they need to go outside the city limits where they can safely use those explosives or fireworks,” Ford said.

Even if fireworks are taken outside of the city, revelers still need to be safe, said Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy David Hedrick.

Hedrick said people shooting fireworks in the parish have gotten hurt in the past.

“If we get a 9-1-1 complaint about someone shooting a Roman candle and hurting someone, we will send a patrol car out,” Hedrick said.

Hedrick said if everything is done under adult supervision, the festivities are usually safer and no one gets hurt.

Adams County Emergency Management Agency Director Robert Bradford said his agency wants to see residents have fun, but be safe.

“We don’t know what the outcome will be but we will be prepared to handle any emergency that may arise,” Bradford said.

The agency is notifying others to be on the lookout for potential grassfires caused by fireworks, Bradford said.

He said fireworks should not be shot across someone’s house or property and adults should watch children around explosives.

“Nothing bad has ever happened firework-related during my tenure as director, and we would love to have that streak continue, but we know fireworks can be dangerous if the cautions and warning labels are ignored,” Bradford said.

Local law enforcement will also be watching for other violations related to the New Year.

Ford said his department would also be on the lookout for people who drive after having one too many alcoholic beverages. He said people who plan to drink, need to arrange for a designated driver.

“There will be zero tolerance for people who drink and drive,” Ford said.

Hedrick said because of the holiday his department is planning to have extra patrol cars out to also help with drunk drivers.

“You will get a (driving while intoxicated citation) if you are stopped,” Hedrick said.

Hedrick said the department is strict for public protection, but also to protect the people who are driving drunk.

“Just be safe and plan for your event if you’re going to be drinking,” Hedrick said.