What action do you take when hearing gunfire in the distance?

[David]

Simple question to a problem some of us may be all too familiar with:

You're sitting in your house, it's late at night. You hear gunfire in the distance. You're pretty sure it's not fireworks.

Do you call 911? Even if you can't give them any info other than the general direction of the gunfire.

Do you call the non emergency line and give them some basic info?

Or do you feel that it's not going to be high on their list of priorities since you can't give a specific location and there's no known victim involved... so why bother.

Inquiring minds want to know.

[Karl_Pilkington]

Or do you feel that it's not going to be high on their list of priorities since you can't give a specific location and there's no known victim involved... so why bother.

bingo.

[Shwaz]

I called about gun shots in front of my house during the time of the rap shows at the 5 points theater on Sunday nights. I heard 2 shots from my balcony and then saw 3 girls running away down Herschel St. I didn't see the shooter though. I called 911 and told the operator what I saw and she said:

Is anyone hurt? I don't know but none that I can see.
Did you see the shooter? No.
Would you like an officer to come by for a statement? I guess not.

[Dan B]

Its impossible to know where/who it came from. I usually ignore it, unless I can tell a source, othewise, there really isnt a lot to tell 911, or 630-0500.

[David]

That's what I figured would happen if I called 911 last night.

I heard 3 gunshots in the distance around 1:32 am this morning. I called the non emergency line and they didn't seem to be too worried.They pretty much asked me the same questions they asked Shwaz. I asked my friend who lives a half mile away here in San Marco if she heard the shots last night, she said yes and they were extremely loud, woke her up from a deep sleep.

No one's hurt though, so I guess it's just "playful" gunfire and nothing to worry about. right??? haaa oh man.

In fairness though, there's not much they can do with that little bit of info I suppose. I'm just curious as to how people react in that situation.

[Shwaz]

I agree the action is limited when the info is vague... I was a little disappointed because the shots were so close to my house and the people running away meant it must've been on the block. I was hoping for "Yes sir we will get police there immediately and catch these guys"!

[north miami]

Once just for grins I slept outside at my Avondale residence...........lot's of gunfire.And the rooster was a treat.

[fsujax]

I usually just stand in the yard and think to myself another one bites the dust and wait for sirens!

[CS Foltz]

With me its take cover and start groping for the weapons I used to carry............we don't have gun fire in my hood, atleast not yet!

[Dog Walker]

In some places they have installed devices with microphones at the tops of power poles that allow them to triangulate the location of the gunshots very precisely.

Of course on New Years Eve it would be useless.  We went inside when we began to hear spent bullets hitting the trees and the tops of houses.

People, If you've got to something as stupid as firing your gun on New Years Eve AT LEAST POINT IT AT THE GROUND!  Do you think that the things just ascend into heaven?

[Johnny]

you guys don't just shoot back?

[mtraininjax]

And the rooster was a treat.

I especially like the ones that crow all hours of the day at Walnut and 1st.

[Sportmotor]

Depends where I am, and how far out.

If it is close(block or so), I will click my safety off the firearm I have on me 80% of the time. As I have been shot at on more then one occasion its not something that scares me to much.
Most people don't haven't paid or gone through any gun training courses or can much less fire one properly.


If it was close and I saw someone attacking someone or attempting to with a firearm I will engage them after one warning to disarm


If its far off, I don't give it a second thought.

In some places they have installed devices with microphones at the tops of power poles that allow them to triangulate the location of the gunshots very precisely.

The military uses this in Iraq, fun little toy will give you everything from position to range. Not sure if it works with a muzzlebreak on the gun as accurately tho.

[Bostech]

Umm maybe you have Serbs in neighborhood.
It's orthodox Christian New Year after all.
As long as gunfire stops before 4:30am,I wouldnt worry too much.

[Karl_Pilkington]

you know firing a gun into the air is a very serious problem and this city doesn't even address it.  When this happens: http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/4-year-old-killed-264602.html there will no doubt be some finger pointing and hand wringing.