Police in Phoenix are issuing a warning about a recurring issue that arises every New Year’s Eve: the dangerous practice of individuals firing guns into the air in celebration.
Dot Roberts of Mesa shared her harrowing experience of living in a neighborhood where random gunfire was a common occurrence. She vividly recalls the terrifying sound of bullets ricocheting off her mother’s car, leaving lasting marks as a haunting reminder of the danger they faced on a daily basis.
In 1999, a tragic incident occurred in Phoenix where 14-year-old Shannon Smith lost her life. She was in the backyard of her home when a stray bullet, which had been fired into the air, struck her and caused her death.
Shannon’s Law, a legislation that criminalizes the act of firing a gun within any city or town in Arizona, was implemented in response to her tragic death.
Glendale Police Officer Moroni Mendez is of the opinion that Shannon’s Law has had a positive impact in decreasing the occurrence of random shooting incidents on New Year’s Eve. However, it is important to note that it does not completely eliminate such incidents.
The Glendale Police Department is among several law enforcement agencies in Arizona that are utilizing technology to combat the problem of random gunfire.
Arizona’s Family was given an exclusive glimpse into Glendale’s Real Time Crime Center, a facility dedicated to monitoring activities in various neighborhoods throughout the city.
We also examined the shot spotter system employed by law enforcement, which promptly notifies officers of any gunfire incidents.
“It generates GPS coordinates and provides an aerial view that accurately identifies each individual shot,” Mendez explained. “For instance, if there is a shooter on the move, it will display a sequence of numbered shots, indicating the order in which they were fired, along with the distance covered and, at times, their speed.”
According to Moroni, the alert system enables officers to quickly and efficiently respond to a specific location.
Cities like Phoenix utilize similar gunshot tracking programs.
Officials are optimistic that celebrants on New Year’s Eve will understand the message and refrain from indiscriminately shooting firearms.
According to former law enforcement officer Andrew Slade, he is confident that the use of technology has indeed made a significant impact. He mentioned that every year, authorities arrest individuals involved in criminal activities, and they are able to track their actions effectively.