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Council members look for solutions to stop increasing gunfire in Warren
For three consecutive days and nights people in different parts of Warren have ducked for cover during rolling gun battles, or shooters targeting individual people.
WARREN, Ohio -
For three consecutive days and nights people in different parts of Warren have ducked for cover during rolling gun battles, or shooters targeting individual people.
The gunfire has shattered the sense of safety for innocent neighbors nearby.
Early this morning around 2 am, a rolling gun battle woke people trying to sleep who live near third street.
Councilwoman Cheryl Saffold said, "I know what that fear factor feels like when you hear bullets and your diving on the floor, so that's apparently what the people had to do. I was able to go in one of the houses with the bullet holes this big." Many of the shell casings collected by detectives were from a rifle.
Several calls were made to 911 with most callers wanting to remain anonymous.
Hi, I'm reporting multiple gun shots between second, third, and fourth.
A dispatch operator asked one caller how many shots they heard. The caller said more than 15. There's got to be at least three different people.
It went all the way through a cabinet in my kitchen explained another caller.
Councilwoman Cheryl Saffold tells WFMJ news people shouldn't have to live in fear. She wants drug houses closed down through an abatement process, along with increased patrols throughout the city.
"All the neighborhood feels the same way, it has to stop. We have to go to the root of the problem, and the problem is to get those people out of our neighborhood."
Councilman Al Novak wants the city to ensure liquor licenses for establishments up for sale go to responsible owners, and when establishments become plagued with violence the abatement process used to close them down.
Novak also wants increased police presence near high rises and establishments where people gather.
"How we're scheduling, where were scheduling, what's going on and where do those members council members feel they would like to see more on the street," added Councilman Novak.
Warren's Police Chief Eric Merkel told WFMJ news ten officers were on patrol when the rolling gun battle took place Thursday morning. Merkel said, "I am willing to work with council to help reduce gun violence."
On Tuesday afternoon a mother to with five children showed WFMJ news holes in her house on Arlington Avenue NW. The bullets were too close for comfort, with one being over the area where her nephew was sleeping. It's believed the shooter in this case was targeting someone walking down the street, not at the home that was struck.
On Wednesday morning someone targeted a man standing near a silver van on the 3200 block of Clearwater NW on Warren's west side. In this afternoon shooting, a man, his wife and son dropped to the ground. A bullet shattered their vehicle windshield. Other homes were also struck.
The city's police power down, with 8 openings unfilled.
The gunfire has shattered the sense of safety for innocent neighbors nearby.
Early this morning around 2 am, a rolling gun battle woke people trying to sleep who live near third street.
Councilwoman Cheryl Saffold said, "I know what that fear factor feels like when you hear bullets and your diving on the floor, so that's apparently what the people had to do. I was able to go in one of the houses with the bullet holes this big." Many of the shell casings collected by detectives were from a rifle.
Several calls were made to 911 with most callers wanting to remain anonymous.
Hi, I'm reporting multiple gun shots between second, third, and fourth.
A dispatch operator asked one caller how many shots they heard. The caller said more than 15. There's got to be at least three different people.
It went all the way through a cabinet in my kitchen explained another caller.
Councilwoman Cheryl Saffold tells WFMJ news people shouldn't have to live in fear. She wants drug houses closed down through an abatement process, along with increased patrols throughout the city.
"All the neighborhood feels the same way, it has to stop. We have to go to the root of the problem, and the problem is to get those people out of our neighborhood."
Councilman Al Novak wants the city to ensure liquor licenses for establishments up for sale go to responsible owners, and when establishments become plagued with violence the abatement process used to close them down.
Novak also wants increased police presence near high rises and establishments where people gather.
"How we're scheduling, where were scheduling, what's going on and where do those members council members feel they would like to see more on the street," added Councilman Novak.
Warren's Police Chief Eric Merkel told WFMJ news ten officers were on patrol when the rolling gun battle took place Thursday morning. Merkel said, "I am willing to work with council to help reduce gun violence."
On Tuesday afternoon a mother to with five children showed WFMJ news holes in her house on Arlington Avenue NW. The bullets were too close for comfort, with one being over the area where her nephew was sleeping. It's believed the shooter in this case was targeting someone walking down the street, not at the home that was struck.
On Wednesday morning someone targeted a man standing near a silver van on the 3200 block of Clearwater NW on Warren's west side. In this afternoon shooting, a man, his wife and son dropped to the ground. A bullet shattered their vehicle windshield. Other homes were also struck.
The city's police power down, with 8 openings unfilled.
So far this year there have been 2 murders in Warren.
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