For many, the Fourth of July is a day to celebrate the birth of American independence with family, fun and fireworks.

But like with any other holiday, the celebration can be quickly ruined by accidents or injuries.

Fireworks and discharging of a firearm is illegal inside the city limits, and Selma Police Chief William Riley said he strongly recommends that people find other ways to celebrate.

“Fireworks and shooting firearms out in the public is not legal in the city,” Riley said. “It’s really distressing when people are firing firearms in the air in the city because one, the bullet has got to come down somewhere and a lot of damage that’s done to roofs and buildings once those bullets come down. It could pose a danger to the public as well, anyone that’s out and about or even anyone sitting inside of a home, depending on the trajectory of the bullet as it comes down.”

In a 2014 Times-Journal article, it was reported that Between Thursday, July 3 and Saturday, July 5, 2014, officers from the Selma Police Department responded to 15 calls for shots fired and 21 calls for fireworks complaints.

“I would say during the Fourth of July, we’re going to get exclusively more fireworks,” Riley said. “I know a lot of people still think that it’s gunshots, but really it’s more fireworks. … They hear something go bam, and they automatically assume it’s a gun.”

However, even though the number of fireworks calls outnumber the firearms discharged on the Fourth, Riley said it is still a pressing issue that the public needs to understand.

“If any law enforcement officer catches you in the act, you’re subject to being dealt with,” Riley said. “We always tell people that you may never know who will see you, … and if an officer runs up on you doing something that is [against] the law, you run the risk of getting arrested.”

Although people have reported to have damage on their property caused by stray bullets, Riley said he doesn’t remember anyone ever getting injured, but there’s always a risk.

“I don’t recall anyone during my time in Selma ever being injured, and I hope to God that no one ever does get injured. That’s why we keep telling people, if you keep shooting objects in the air, if you fire guns in the air, sooner or later, someone’s going to get hurt,” Riley said. “A lot of officers during that time, they may park in a certain area that may offer some shelter from any falling objects, but we still respond to calls for services.”

Riley said that the department does staff more officers on the holiday, as well as keeping off duty officers ready in case they need to be called in. But over all, Riley said he wants the public to have a good time and go to events, but to abide by the law and stay safe.

“We ask again, do not drink and drive. If you feel like you’ve got to go out here and celebrate and celebrate with alcohol, have a designated driver. Do not mix alcohol with firearms; do not mix alcohol with fireworks because that’s a dangerous situation that could wind up getting someone hurt,” Riley said.