Bang! Bang!

[Micky]

Thanks for the suggestions.  However, the shootings are happening behind our homes and well out of view of any cameras that we could possibly set up. (We do have one set up at our house to monitor the front of our home).  Last night, 9 shots were heard and then 12 more about an hour later.

Thanks Maggie for informing us about the officers for block watches.  Could they possibly look into getting grants for obtaining cameras that other cities have been using to monitor gunshots? The cities that are using the cameras have been very successful in apprehending the shooters.

[ForumManager]

Walmart has security cameras...  weather resistant  -- with night vision --  for about $50.   Some are motion sensitive - may be a little higher. They come with 100 feet of cable and  hook to your VCR or a TV. They also have  wireless ones for about $100.
I'd say that is much cheaper then going out to get a camcorder and making it weatherproof.

You would also need to get signs.  It is illegal to have video surveillance without posting of warning signs.

[Maggy]

Good Morning Everyone.

Something has been done and it is already making a difference.

Chief Hughes has assigned two officers who act as liasons between block watches,citizens groups, and the department. They are extremely proactive and have brought action. They also work with the turns, to keep them abreast of resident reports of "hot spots".

I advise that you contact the Chief's office and leave a message for Patrolman Bill Ward or Sgt. Frank Rutherford. THEY WILL RETURN YOUR CALL. They are committed to this.

A major "thank you" to the Chief for instituting this.

It is also time for the people to quit sitting on their hands and become participants. If you don't have a block watch - form one - it's a great way to meet your neighbors, and that is what we have lost also, the idea and structure of what a neighborhood was.

Maggy

     

[AllanY2525]

Try the pawn shop downtown - you might be able to pick up a used camcorder for
a fraction of the price of a new one.


Allan

[jay]

Does your neighborhood have a block watch? 

I think the block watch should hold an event to raise money to purchase special equipment such and a video camera with night vision capability.   If you hold such an event, I would be happy to attend and contribute.

[Micky]

Thank you Allan and West Side Nosy Neighbors for your advice.  We'll call Council Chambers.  We called the Mayor several times earlier this summer but never received call backs.

We would love to be able to videotape, trouble is the bad elements live on the streets behind us and we can't possibly leave our house to attempt to film anything.  We'd be shot for sure.  You can't even drive on those streets in the daylight hours. 

I suppose that if things get much worse around here, we'll just leave the home that we own and go rent somewhere else in a quick hurry.  This is no way to live. 

[Shirley]

Not sure what to tell you to do about the gunfire. I wish there was someway we could help. However, I would be very upset if I could not get a return call from the council person. Maybe you should call council chambers or the Mayor's office to complain. The phone number for Council Chambers is
330-742-8708. Mayors office is 330-742-8701. I would keep calling until someone got a hold of him. Does he attend any block watch meetings that you know of?

[AllanY2525]

Here is my suggestion:

(NOTE: this is ONLY a suggestion of what I "might do" in this situation......)

"VIDEO CAMERA VIGILANTES"

Step 1:   

Get a group of neighbors in the affected area together and borrow a digital
camcorder from someone willing to lend you the use of it...one with NIGHT
VISION and a GOOD ZOOM LENS

Step 2:

Take turns "monitoring" the area where the shots are coming from,
from INSIDE YOUR HOME WHERE IT IS SAFER - use the camera
to get video footage of any suspects you see, then TURN IT OVER
TO THE POLICE.

If the person has ANY criminal record in Youngstown or Mahoning
County then they most likely have MUG shots on file with the
Y.P.D. or M.C.S.'s office(s).

USE the video footage to file a police report, then follow up with
the detective(s) assigned to the case and make sure they DO
someting (like arrest and prosecute the offenders)

Hope this suggestion is of some use to someone in the affected
area(s).......


Allan

[Micky]

Memmer is as silent as a rock!  He has never returned anyone's telephone messages that I know of in all the years that he's been a councilman.

The neighbors were discussing the situation when someone told us that technology is available and being used in some cities where sensors are strategically placed that can pinpoint where gunshots come from.  When patrol cars are placed in the areas where the sensors are, they catch the shooters quickly.  We'll have to research this.  Hopefully we can present it to the Mayor and Police Chief and they could do the same thing in the sections of Youngstown where it's well known where the hot spots are. 

We need to be more proactive.  Our police have been running from 1 call to another after the fact through no fault of their own.  We also require more police men and women on our streets. 

[Shirley]

Who is the council person for this area?  Are they any help?

[jay]

This is one of the problem areas on the south side.

[Shirley]

What area of Youngstown is this?

[jay]

Are these gun shots happening on the same streets night after night?

It would be a good idea to keep a record of the locations and then place an unmarked police car in that area.  The next time shots are heard the police will already be in position to apprehend the culprit.

Keep Safe.

[Micky]

Very busy night in a hot spot tonight.  Gun shots heard numerous times in an hour period.
Neighbors were calling each other to see if everyone was okay and to see if we heard correctly.
Our children were scared, asking if we were going to be okay.  We tell them we will but we really don't know anymore.  The shots are too close.

Question - Does anyone have any suggestions of what law abiding citizens can do anymore?