Full Notification

Happy New Year from the men and women of the Gardena Police Department! We hope you had a good 2013 and look forward to a great year in 2014. We will have a maximum deployment of officers in order to help you all ring in a Safe and Happy New Year.

While you are celebrating, please keep safety in mind. If your celebration plans include alcohol, designate a driver before the festivities begin. Many police agencies will be ringing in the New Year on the roadway with motorists as part of a Maximum Enforcement Period, which begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday and continues into the New Year.

While safe, defensive driving is being stressed, it’s also an especially important time to remember to put on seat belts. Buckle up for safety!

In addition, the public is encouraged to call 9-1-1 if they suspect another driver of being under the influence. Be prepared to provide the dispatcher with the location, make, model and license plate number of the vehicle, and any other pertinent information.

We hope that drivers will make responsible decisions ahead of time. There are plenty of transportation alternatives to getting behind the wheel. Designate a sober driver, take a taxi or use public transportation.

Local police departments are also participating in a campaign to discourage anyone from firing weapons into the air on New Year’s Eve. They are joining forces to participate in the Countywide and Citywide Gunfire Reduction Campaign. Incidents of indiscriminate gunfire that have become a deadly New Year’s tradition in the city and county are extremely dangerous and will be met with zero tolerance. Discharging a firearm into the air is punishable by one year in state prison. Anyone arrested for discharging a firearm will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Additionally, the discharge of fireworks is illegal within the City of Gardena on any date other than the 4th of July.

Please be safe while you ring in 2014. We wish you all a Safe and Happy New Year!