HOUSTON – Shotgun shell casings are seen spread out on the ground. They’re from guns being fired on a private property behind Townwood Park.
Neighbors tell KPRC 2 Reporter Corley Peel the sounds of guns being fired is normal for their neighborhood.
“At night, it’s just constant gunfire. Around 10 to 4 a.m. maybe,” said Jared.
“It sounds almost like they’re in your backyard. Like it’s going to come through your window. In the privacy of your own home, you’re changing your life because your environment is scary. and you don’t feel safe in your own home,” said Mike McCoy.
Many of the homes that surround the park, are about a half mile away from where the shots are being fired. Mike McCoy said the shots are sometimes fired during parties with loud music. Other times, it is just gunfire. McCoy served in the Army. He said the guns he hears range from shotguns to automatic rifles. He said it has been an issue for several months.
Jared said his family took cover last Thursday after roughly 30 rounds were fired within five minutes.
“We just have to hide basically since we have a glass backdoor. There’s nothing we can do. It’s more like a constant thing. We don’t even think about it, because it’s second nature,” said Jared.
McCoy said he has called police several times about the gunfire.
“After I’ve called 911, I fortunately had a couple of policemen who met me on the bridge and I described to them where I heard the gunshots and they did hear the loud music and they responded to that. But, other times the questions that the 911 operator asks, I can’t give the details that they asked for, and I don’t see someone respond,” he said.
Shooting off guns within city limits is illegal. HPD encourages people to call 911 as soon as they hear gunfire to help with response times. Giving a detailed description of the shooter can help, if possible.
HPD uses shot spotter technology in other areas of towns to detect shootings. KPRC 2 asked if that could be a solution to the gunfire near Townwood Park. Police said a lot goes into choosing the areas for shot spotter and that is usually based on crime statistics. Police also said they do not notify communities where those shot spotters are.
KPRC 2 requested calls for service to the park. HPD is looking into the request.