As we approach the News Years day holiday, this warning from the Desert Hot Springs Police Chief also pertains to the Morongo Basin. Chief Dale Mondary issued this statement, “As we prepare to ring in the New Year we are asking citizens to celebrate appropriately. We want to remind everyone that it is illegal to discharge a firearm within the city limits. Please do not shoot off firearms as the New Year approaches. It is dangerous and reckless and the law of gravity comes into play: ‘what goes up must come down’ and could cause serious injury. Additionally, we want to remind citizens that it is also illegal to ignite/shoot off fireworks in the city and that the City Council approved an increased fine of $1,000.00 for a first offense violation. To that end, and to keep the community safe for everyone during this New Year’s celebration, the Police Department will have a special task force working this weekend to locate and cite the irresponsible persons setting off fireworks, and arrest those shooting off firearms. They have a zero-tolerance mission. We wish everyone to have a safe and Happy New Year and ask that everyone do their part and celebrate responsible. We also ask the citizens to report illegal fireworks, or individuals firing off weapons.”
