The Corpus Christi Police Department has a plan for fireworks enforcement for the New Year’s celebration time in an effort to make the holiday safer for everyone. Not only will there be additional Corpus Christi Police Officers designated for the sole purpose of Driving While Intoxicated Enforcement, there will be several Corpus Christi Police Officers and Fire Fighters who will be designated to focus solely on fireworks enforcement.

It is unlawful to discharge fireworks inside the city limits. A citation for discharging fireworks inside the Corpus Christi city limits is punishable by a fine of up to $500 dollars. It is also unlawful to possess opened packages of fireworks and the punishment is a fine of up to $2,000 dollars per package.

Officers will also be on the lookout for celebratory gunfire. Discharging a firearm inside the city limits is punishable by up to a year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine if no person is injured. The penalty increases if a person is injured by any gunfire.

Anyone who wants to report fireworks violations should call the Corpus Christi Police at the designated phone line, 886-COPS (2677). Anyone who wants to report any gunfire should call the emergency line, 911.