North Texas Police Chiefs Issue Stern Warnings Ahead of New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Dallas and Fort Worth police chiefs are taking a hard line against dangerous New Year’s Eve behaviors, vowing increased enforcement as the countdown to 2026 approaches.
During a public safety briefing Thursday at Jack Evans Police Headquarters, Dallas Police Chief David Comeaux didn’t mince words about celebratory gunfire, a deadly tradition that persists despite repeated warnings.
“Always know if a bullet goes up, it has to come down,” Comeaux cautioned. “And one of the things we don’t want to do is just have random gunfire going up into the air, knowing that all these bullets have to come down and it can hurt someone. They can kill someone.”
Zero Tolerance in Fort Worth
Across the metroplex, Fort Worth Police Chief Eddie Garcia announced his department would take a similarly tough stance, with increased patrols throughout the city.
“We will not tolerate criminal behavior in our city,” Garcia stated. “Our officers are positioned, our plan is in place, and anyone intent on disrupting public safety will be dealt with swiftly. If you see something that threatens safety, report it immediately.”
Why the heightened concern? Last year alone, Fort Worth police responded to 87 shots fired calls and 42 fireworks complaints on New Year’s Eve — and those numbers only reflect incidents officers physically attended.
The dangers aren’t theoretical. Officer Buddy Segura of the Fort Worth Police Department recalled a frightening incident from several years ago when celebratory chaos threatened air traffic.
“Three or four years ago, over on the North side of Fort Worth, we have the Meacham airport,” Segura explained. “Well, we had an issue that people were firing, not only fireworks, but guns up in the air, and some of those projectiles came down and hit some of the windshields of the planes. So, it is very dangerous.”
Drunk Driving Remains Major Concern
It’s not just bullets and fireworks worrying authorities. Impaired driving continues to plague Texas highways during the holiday season.
More than 2,000 drunk driving-related crashes occurred across Texas during the 2024 holiday season, with December ranking as the deadliest month for such incidents.
“The holidays are a wonderful time to be with family, and yet they can also be a painful reminder for those who have lost loved ones to preventable crashes,” Marc Williams, executive director of TxDOT, noted.
The statistics paint a grim picture. Nearly 64 percent of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day traffic fatalities in Texas were drivers, while pedestrians accounted for 19 percent and passengers 16 percent.
“New Year’s Eve is one of the most dangerous nights on American roads,” according to Edward Smith, managing attorney at AutoAccident.com, who monitors such trends.
Community Cooperation Essential
Could this year be different? Dallas Police Chief Comeaux hopes so, appealing for public cooperation rather than confrontation.
“Again, we will have extra officers working tonight. We will be out there to keep everyone safe and protect everyone,” said Comeaux. “But as a city, we can help each other by doing what’s right and what’s necessary to take care of each other.”
Both departments plan to deploy additional officers throughout the night, focusing on areas where celebrations traditionally become problematic.
The clear message from law enforcement as 2025 draws to a close: celebrate responsibly or face consequences. One wayward bullet, one illegal firework, or one impaired decision behind the wheel could turn a night of celebration into a lifetime of regret.
