New Year's Eve a busy night for police

The crowds were out in downtown West Palm Beach in anticipation for 2012 all the while the police department kept a watchful eye on all the celebrations.

Officers at the West Palm Beach Police Department got their orders and filed into their cars as if it were any normal evening.

But those who have worked the New Year's Eve shift know the night is anything but a typical evening shift.

"It's like a normal day on steroids, basically for us," said Officer Jason Morris.

The most obvious call officer Morris was looking out for was drinking and driving. Morris said alcohol also affects how people treat those around them, especially around the holidays.

"With the economic times, people aren't happy with their loved ones because they lost a job or it financially burdens them and they, over time I guess, build up with anger," said Morris.

On the last day of 2011, Officer Morris assists other officers and helps sort out other calls.

As the clock slowly ticked closer to midnight, Morris said that's when he begins worrying about the celebrations bullets falling from the sky.

"People celebrating a little early by letting their guns off in the air. People setting off fireworks. People thinking the fireworks are shots fired and it's pretty much just nonstop," said Morris.

Office Morris, like the other West Palm Beach police officers, ended 2011 with a continuous flurry of calls and started 2012 in the same fashion.