Philadelphia police out in full force as city celebrates New Year, Mummers

PHILADELPHIA - It’s essentially the calm before the storm as Center City streets are already blocked off, stands are in place, and preparations are underway for the big New Year celebrations.

"One thing we are really good at in this city is throwing big parties," says Deputy Commissioner Mike Cram of the Philadelphia Police Department Patrol Operations.

The parties begin with fireworks at Penn’s Landing and continue on into New Year’s Day for the Mummers Day Parade.

It’s an all-hands-on-deck situation each year for the Philadelphia Police Department.

"You’ll see officers on foot, officers in patrol cars, officers on bikes. You’ll see that out there and same thing tomorrow, quite a bit of officers on foot along the parade route," says Cram.

While the police department is taking extra steps to create a safe and fun environment, they also need your help.

"If you’re going to go out and drink tonight don’t drink and drive, call Uber, call a friend, things of that nature. Same old, just be safe about what you do, and same for the parade, just come and enjoy yourself," says Cram.

Law enforcement’s attention over the next two days will not only be on the major organized celebrations, as police are warning those bringing in the New Year elsewhere to never do so with celebratory gunfire.

"Besides being illegal, it’s just stupid. The bullets go up and then they come down and they hit innocent people. It could be one of your family members. Just don’t do it. We’re really good in the city, our officers are really good at making gun arrests so we’re gonna catch you," says Cram.

Police say each year they use experiences from previous celebrations and strategies from other cities to continue to improve in trying to make these big celebrations safer and safer.