Monday Update: Forest Park Elders Consider Self-Armament Amidst 30 Shots Fired

Monday 12/18/2023 –

At the Forest Park C3 meeting residents discussed ongoing garbage overflow, illegal dumping in Forest Park, reckless driving and rising homelessness.

Saturday night –

Residents of Washington street were awakened by the sounds of gunfire after midnight. Shot Spotter picked up 20 rounds with property damage and rifle casings.

Residents emerged from their homes and helped the police search their yards for bullets.

There was a man on camera who was running down the street after the incident. An eyewitness said that he was the one shooting. Other eyewitnesses say there was a white Honda and the shooting was coming from the car.

Some of the elderly community members at the C3 meeting shared that they are looking into getting their gun permits. One woman, who has lived in the area for over forty years, said she refuses to leave, and would rather arm herself. “I grew up shooting guns” she said, “I’m a great shot”

Another woman at the meeting said that the Forest park neighborhood used to be a safe home to many young people and families.

Police recommended pepper spray as a start. When asked if they could recommend any specific brand, a spokesperson said anything that’s in line with the scoville heat units of the Sabre brand that Police use, which is 2,000,000 Scoville Heat Units.

“I was shot with pepper spray myself as part of training” the officer said, “It doesn’t always work… and you run the risk of pissing the guy off if it doesn’t. But the spray we use can be a very effective tool”

Wednesday Night –

Shot Spotter picked up 9 rounds on Grenada Terrace. No property damage.

Illegal Dumping –

Police reported several large scaled dumping incidents in Forest Park. “They’re bringing whole trailers worth of junk and dumping it” an officer said.

One incident occured on Porter Lake Drive.

Reckless Driving –

Residents complained of reckless driving. Drivers aren’t stopping for school buses. Police say over the past several years accident fatalities have gone up.