... but then again, no one was speeding...
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DeputyVaughn
Member
Someone hypothesized that it was a ND. Probably correct, but in most jurisdictions a misdemeanor at best (as long as there are no injuries or damage). I don't believe there was a crime committed from the information given. The only thing the officers could do is drive through and look for a crime occurring. Police investigate crimes mostly after they have been committed. It's rare for one to occur in front of them. That's why I'm all for people being able to protect themselves.
Often times we speak of freedom and the coming police state. It's little things like this that will bring it in so much sooner. If the officers had come in with sirens blasting and blue lights flashing and banged on the door of the possible offenders and demanded to get into their vehicle to see if they had a firearm.......etc, etc, etc. The out cry would have been Police state....4th Amendment violations.....etc, etc, etc. It's tough to decide. Do we want to be secure or free...........hmmmmmmmm. Remember, no one saw a firearm, or reported damage or injuries. Just heard what may have been a gunshot.
In Alabama, an officer can only make an arrest for a misdemeanor crime if he sees it happen. Otherwise the offended party must swear a complaint for a warrant. The only exception is for Domestic Violencce where an officer can arrest based on Probable cause. Felony arrest can be made on probable cause at any time, but a warrant in hand is still better. These restrictions make an officers work much more difficult, but when it comes to depriving someone of their freedom it's worth the extra time and work.
Scott
Often times we speak of freedom and the coming police state. It's little things like this that will bring it in so much sooner. If the officers had come in with sirens blasting and blue lights flashing and banged on the door of the possible offenders and demanded to get into their vehicle to see if they had a firearm.......etc, etc, etc. The out cry would have been Police state....4th Amendment violations.....etc, etc, etc. It's tough to decide. Do we want to be secure or free...........hmmmmmmmm. Remember, no one saw a firearm, or reported damage or injuries. Just heard what may have been a gunshot.
In Alabama, an officer can only make an arrest for a misdemeanor crime if he sees it happen. Otherwise the offended party must swear a complaint for a warrant. The only exception is for Domestic Violencce where an officer can arrest based on Probable cause. Felony arrest can be made on probable cause at any time, but a warrant in hand is still better. These restrictions make an officers work much more difficult, but when it comes to depriving someone of their freedom it's worth the extra time and work.
Scott
Drav
Member
Hey Deputy, where in North AL are you? I live in Madison and work in Huntsville.
EDIT: Ah, you're in Morgan County, Decatur, cool!
EDIT: Ah, you're in Morgan County, Decatur, cool!
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svtruth
Member
Just out of curiosity
Do police depts, sheriffs, et al. conduct tests of 911 response times, or do they just figger there are enough real ones for OTJ training?
Do police depts, sheriffs, et al. conduct tests of 911 response times, or do they just figger there are enough real ones for OTJ training?
New years eve 1995:
"911 what is your emergency?.
"My dumb @$$ neighbor is standing out in his front yard firing a handgun into the air. I'll identify him and i'll testify in court".
I'm still waiting for a patrol car to show up.
"911 what is your emergency?.
"My dumb @$$ neighbor is standing out in his front yard firing a handgun into the air. I'll identify him and i'll testify in court".
I'm still waiting for a patrol car to show up.
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
I'd be inclined to chew on my city council representative's ear long and hard, and make it abundantly clear the council better encourage the mayor to speak with the police chief, or I'll vote against the council representative next time around.
Your local representatives are a lot more afraid of you than your misrepresentatives in Washington, D.C.
itgoesboom
member
I must be lucky. I live in a town of about 3k, and just after the 4th of July, when everyone on my block was setting off fireworks, someone decided to pop 8 rounds into the air a block or two away.
I called the non-emergency line, gave the information, where I was, the direction of the shots, how many, and that I was sure they weren't fireworks (very different sound).
Less than 5 minutes later, I get a call on my cell phone from the responding officer, letting me know that he is on scene, where I told him I heard the shots, thanking me for calling, and that they hadn't found any brass yet. And to not hesitate at all to call if I needed them again.
The PD here doesn't screw around, I promise you that. Brand new development, decent priced homes, semi-rural area, and the cops drive by our neighborhood at least once every morning, and a couple times during the day. They wave, smile, and talk to the neighbors, and get to know us.
A few years ago, living in a city of about 75K, I called the cops when we heard a noise downstairs. Within a few minutes, several officers showed up, covering both the front, and back. With the officers was a K9 officer as well.
After officers cleared the downstairs, I escorted one upstairs, and he was more than respectful of our privacy, made some positive comments on my firearms 
. Turned out to be nothing though.
Even though the officers in both those circumstances were quick, professional, and thorough, I still feel better knowing that I can defend my family.
Having the German Shepherd Dog helps there too.
I.G.B.
I called the non-emergency line, gave the information, where I was, the direction of the shots, how many, and that I was sure they weren't fireworks (very different sound).
Less than 5 minutes later, I get a call on my cell phone from the responding officer, letting me know that he is on scene, where I told him I heard the shots, thanking me for calling, and that they hadn't found any brass yet. And to not hesitate at all to call if I needed them again.
The PD here doesn't screw around, I promise you that. Brand new development, decent priced homes, semi-rural area, and the cops drive by our neighborhood at least once every morning, and a couple times during the day. They wave, smile, and talk to the neighbors, and get to know us.
A few years ago, living in a city of about 75K, I called the cops when we heard a noise downstairs. Within a few minutes, several officers showed up, covering both the front, and back. With the officers was a K9 officer as well.
After officers cleared the downstairs, I escorted one upstairs, and he was more than respectful of our privacy, made some positive comments on my firearms . Turned out to be nothing though. Even though the officers in both those circumstances were quick, professional, and thorough, I still feel better knowing that I can defend my family.
Having the German Shepherd Dog helps there too.
I.G.B.
OK, how should one go about investigating a report of someone hearing a gunshot? Imagine the conversations that will follow.
First he talks to you
"didja hear a gunshot"
"yep"
"didja see anything"
"i saw two guys actin' funny over there, but i didnt see anyone shooting"
"did you see a gun?"
"no"
"ok"
Then the officer knocks on those two guys' door (according to some posters on this forum this is a civil rights violation).
"didja all hear a gunshot"
"yep"
"your nosey neighbor said it was you"
"it wasnt"
"ok"
Seriously, if there was a gunshot in my neighborhood and the cops started knocking on MY door in the middle of the night because one of my neighbors saw me and a buddy drinking a bear on m porch i would not be a happy camper. You didnt give the police enough information for them to investigate anything, its not your fault, its also not theirs.
pokey074
Member
Since dispatchers/911 operators are the middle men, don't assume that your call went out to the officers as "shots fired."
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