Bay Area Police Track 4th Of July Gunfire, Illegal Fireworks

RICHMOND (KCBS) -- Several Bay Area police departments will be tracking celebratory gunfire during this 4th of July holiday. Richmond's police department said they'll actively pursue anyone firing bullets into the night sky.

Firing bullets in the sky is common during the 4th in some parts of the Bay Area, but police said it's illegal and dangerous and they will arrest anyone who is found doing it.

KCBS' Dave Padilla Reports:

Police Lt. Bisa French said the department's ShotSpotter System will let officers know exactly where celebratory gunfire is happening…

"If we get ShotSpotter activation we can look at the system and see that it might be coming from the backyard of a residence as opposed to in front of the residence or in the street,"

Lt. French said the system, most times, can distinguish between gunshots and fireworks and she says officers will respond to all ShotSpotter activations.

French said they will actively pursue people that may set off celebratory shots during the holiday.

Richmond P.D. is one of several police departments in the Bay Area, using this technology. Celebratory gunfire has been known to kill innocent people.

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