San Antonio police are urging residents to report celebratory gunfire during the holidays after a spike in incidents last year. Police say they received an average of 102 calls a day for shots fired in 2023, but that number jumped to 361 calls on New Year's Day.
San Antonio police discussed the dangers of celebratory gunfire during a city council presentation on holiday safety and preparedness Wednesday, urging people to report the gunshots to SAPD's non-emergency line at 210-207-SAPD (7273). City leaders want neighbors to call the shots over the holidays. Literally. If you see or hear someone celebrating the holidays by firing off gunshots, police are urging you to report it.
'It's never been this bad,' said Grace Solis-Villarreal, whose home was struck by stray bullets on two separate occasions during last year's holidays. 'The first time was this past December on Christmas, and then it happened again on New Year's.' Viewers sent us pictures of their encounters with celebratory gunfire damaging their property, ranging from bullet holes in car windshields to shattered home windows and sliding glass doors. 'We heard a few gunshots,' said John Wilkins, whose car windshield was shattered by a stray bullet during celebrations in his neighborhood last New Year's. 'We thought about our grandkids. It could have hit anybody.' According to Lt. Michelle Ramos, SAPD received an average of 102 calls a day for shots fired over the course of 2023. However, on New Year's Day of this year, that number jumped to 361 calls. On July 4th, the department received 304 calls for shots fired. 'This is something we hear time and time again, especially around the holidays, that there's gunshots,' said District 5 City Councilmember Teri Castillo. 'But then, when I follow up, 'Did you report it,' it's always a no.' Curbing the gunfire has become a priority for city council, Castillo sai
Celebratory Gunfire Holiday Safety San Antonio Police Crime Reporting Gunshots
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