LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- While New Year's Eve is a night of celebration, it can also be a night of danger.

Over the past five years, nearly 500 crashes have happened during the Christmas and New Year holidays in Kentucky because someone was under the influence.

"We're going to be out in force," said Chief Steve Healey with Pewee Valley Police Department. "If your celebration includes alcoholic beverages, please utilize a designated driver or one of the numerous ride share programs because we want everybody to have an enjoyable and safe New Year, but we want to keep people safe."

Drew Borgmann, the owner of Flanagan's Ale House in the Highlands, expects his bar to be packed for New Year's Eve. Borgmann encourages people to get a ride or take an Uber or Lyft.

If someone is using a ridesharing service, they should check that the car and license plate match the booking details. Also, they should confirm the driver's name and photo before getting in.

Louisville Metro Police are warning gun owners about a city ordinance that bans celebratory gunfire, something that's become common when the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve. 

The ordinance was passed by Louisville Metro Council in 2022, making random gunfire illegal in Louisville. MetroSafe has received hundreds of calls about celebratory gunfire on New Year's Eve in previous years.

It's illegal to fire a gun that's not on a properly licensed gun range. People also can't be within 300 feet of a public road or alley or fire in the direction of a building with people inside. The penalty for violating the ordinance is up to 12 months in jail and a $5,000 fine.

LMPD wouldn't share specifics of where patrols would be focused, but police emphasized that resources will be allocated to ensure community safety.

"There is no reason to be unsafe," Brogmann said. 

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