From the Pensacola Police Department:
Pensacola Police will be saturating areas within city limits at various times and days in the near future in an effort to address an increase in gun violence.
Since September 11, there have been at least 10 incidents reported where people heard gun shots and/or people were shot.
“We’re doing this because we must remain vigilant in keeping our streets and neighborhoods safe for all of our citizens, especially during the holidays when everyone wants to be able to celebrate with family and friends,†said Pensacola Police Chief David Alexander III. “We’re asking the public to enjoy the holidays and if they see something, to please say something.â€
The following are recent gun crimes that currently are under investigation by the department:
– Around 3:20 a.m. September 11 in the area of West Maxwell and North Baylen streets. Police were called after gun shots were heard. Approximately 21 gun casings were found near the intersection; no injuries reported.
– Around 2:35 a.m. September 24 in the area of North Ninth Avenue and Airport Boulevard. A 32-year-old male told police he was driving southbound on Ninth Avenue when he heard several gunshots. He went to a local hospital for treatment of a gunshot in the back of his head.
– Between 9 and 9:10 p.m. October 7 in the 2800 block of North Ninth Avenue. Police were called after gun shots were heard. No injuries were reported.
– Between 5 and 5:30 p.m. October 8 in the 2400 block of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Police were called after gun shots were heard. A 37-year-old male was found on the ground on the southwest side of the 400 block of East Scott Street. He went to a local hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds.
– Around 7:45 a.m. October 25 in the 6800 block of North Ninth Avenue. Police were called after the body of a 47-year-old male was found outside a business. The man died from a gunshot wound.
– Between 8 and 8:20 a.m. November 20 in the 300 block of North G Street. A 58- year-old male told police he was walking his dogs when a man pointed a gun at him and demanded his money. When the victim began yelling for help, he said the suspect shot him before leaving the area.
– Between 7:20 and 7:30 p.m. November 21 in the 400 block of North DeVilliers Street. Two males ages 26 and 29 were sitting in a vehicle when they were shot and taken to a hospital for treatment. A third male inside the vehicle was not injured.
– Around 10 a.m. November 25 in the area Ninth Avenue and Maxwell Street. Police were called after gun shots were heard. A 29-year-old male was found with a gunshot wound in the area of North Sixth Avenue and East Maxwell Street. The male was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
– Around 2 a.m. on November 27 in the area of Ninth Avenue and Baars Street. Police received multiple calls of shots being fired in the area of Ninth Avenue and Baars Street. No injuries were reported.
– Between 11:40 p.m. and midnight November 28 in the 1300 block of West Cervantes Street. Two 19-year-old males were taken to a local hospital for treatment after they were shot while sitting inside a vehicle. A 16-year-old male who was in the vehicle was not injured.
One outreach effort during the violent crime suppression operation will involve officers on foot patrol in targeted areas to inform the public of the increased police activity and to make contact with residents in the affected neighborhoods.
“We have a zero tolerance approach to violent crimes, said Sgt. Stephen Bauer, who is coordinating the operation for the department.
Officers also will be making targeted traffic stops and conducting field interviews in addition to staying in contact with the public to ensure they are successful in reaching people who need assistance from police.
Anyone having information on the recent shootings is asked to contact the Pensacola Police Department at 435 – 1900 or Crime Stoppers at 433 – STOP. Callers can remain anonymous.
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The position is a welcomed change from the one Chief Alexander took with at the Pensacola City Council’s agenda review two weeks ago.
He said then, “I have to say with the violent crimes we really don’t have, other than having an officer placed in everyone’s home, there’s not a whole lot of things you can that to really control and mitigate issues like homicides.†Read more.
Inweekly first began reporting on the rise in homicides in last October – Pensacola Police report fifth homicide since June 30, seventh for 2016