Chief Sees Progress on Celebratory Gunfire
The number of reported gunshots fired into the air this past Christmas dropped to 22, down from 97 the previous year, Police Chief Paul M. Walters told the City Council this week.
The number of reported gunshots on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day rose slightly to 122, from 109 the previous year.
But Walters praised the numbers, which he attributed to a greater awareness among residents.
Santa Ana has long had high numbers of people firing guns into the air to celebrate the holidays, with police logging more than 200 calls for New Year’s festivities in past years, Walters said.
No deaths, injuries or property damage resulted from the gunfire this holiday season, Walters said.
Walters encouraged people to report gunshots, adding, “We do follow up on every single one.”
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