You can find all sorts of comments by people on whether it is possible to distinguish the sound of gunfire from firecrackers, but the bottom line is that it is very difficult to impossible. There are many different types of guns and there are many different types of firecrackers, and there is no clear dividing line between the sounds they make.

@ Michael Austin
"I encourage anyone reading this, if you heard gunfire or fireworks at midnight last night, to post it here and identify the neighborhood where you think the gunfire and fireworks came from."

Ok, I'll bite. Why? Yes, it's incredibly dangerous and stupid if guns were fired to bring in the new year, not to mention that fireworks are illegal in Pleasanton. However, if the PPD were not called/involved in the "fifteen to twenty minutes after midnight" when it was actually happening, what is the purpose of identifying neighborhoods and pinpointing streets now, here?

Unfortunately, the recent past has shown that anonymous PW posters are more than willing to use this site to try and publicly shame neighbors, even going so far as to provide almost complete addresses.

If someone is truly concerned about their ongoing safety, wouldn't they be better served to contact the PPD, even after the fact, rather than using anonymous PW postings to call out their neighbors?

Billie,

I am not an anonymous poster.
I have brought this issue to the attention of the police department on several occasions. Not just on New Year, also during the summer months.
I have spoken with my neighbors regarding this issue on several occasions.
People know who I am, where I live.

Damon,

The weapon being discharged the other side of my back yard was a shotgun.
As a former skeet shooter, I know a shotgun discharge when I hear it.

@ Michael Austin

I didn't say you were an anonymous poster, nor that you had posted anonymously. As both you and I are somewhat frequent posters on this site, I know you are aware of those threads I'm referring to that required PW removal due to their specificity and/or content.

You said, "I encourage anyone reading this, if you heard gunfire or fireworks at midnight last night, to post it here and identify the neighborhood where you think the gunfire and fireworks came from." You did not mention contacting the PPD. So, respectfully, my question remains.

If someone is truly concerned about their ongoing safety, wouldn't they be better served to contact the PPD, even after the fact, rather than using anonymous PW postings to call out their neighbors?

Sorry, as a community we have a responsibility to raise awareness to innapropriate behavior - illegal especially, disrespectful as well.

I posted about my neighbor selling drugs and since the activity has stopped in my neighborhood - I fear it may be ongoing in someone elses though. Knowing the details let's others keep their eye out if it migrates into theirs. My neighbors and I also started a neighborhood watch with the PPD, addressed the individual and family with requests and consequences if activity continued. It's helped so far.

Those that are too cowardly to respectfully speak out against poor behavior will inherit it.

There are others that share your frustration, unite and address the few that are disrupting an amazing community.