HOUSTON -- Houston police and Crime Stoppers are offering thousands of dollars to keep the city safe on New Year's Eve.

Crime Stoppers announced it will offer as much as $5,000 to those who call to report people firing guns to ring in the New Year. The information must lead to the arrest and filing of charges for the shooters.

Police say celebratory gunfire, which is illegal, happens most often in large apartment complexes and threatens the safety of residents.

"That bullet can go up to two miles up in the air and if anybody thinks that bullet comes back down like a feather floating, you're greatly mistaken. That bullet comes back down and it can impact and go through your roof. It can go through your car roof. It can go through a trailer-home roof. And it can go through a skull and it will kill," said Lt. Steve Phares, with the Houston Police Department.

"If a stray bullet is fired from a gun and kills someone, you will be charged with criminal homicide," HPD Chief Harold Hurtt said.

Last year, a similar reward offer resulted in a nearly 56 percent increase in tip calls compared to the previous year. Four people were charged with multiple firearms-related crimes and rewards were handed out in those cases.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at (713) 222-TIPS. Anyone witnessing celebratory gunfire in progress should call 911.