No Evidence Found In Gun Shot Calls

Written by

Jennifer Shutt

POCOMOKE CITY -- In March, the police fielded a call they don't often get: a gunshot, heard downtown. Two calls came in April. And in May there have been seven such calls, summoning Pocomoke police for a report of "shots fired" in the downtown area.

All of the calls have led to dead ends. The police found no evidence, such as shell casings, victims with bullet wounds or any witnesses who could place someone with a gun in the area.

"Every time we get a report of shots fired, we do respond," said Lt. Kelvin Sewell of the Pocomoke City Police Department, explaining the department's policy requiring two officers to respond to any call for service. "Most of the time two officers do respond, unless the other officer is tied up on an arrest."

The last several months, Sewell said, police have responded promptly to each call, spoken with people in the area and searched for casings or other evidence a gun had been fired.

Since it is getting close to the Fourth of July holiday, Sewell said, kids may be playing with fireworks -- some of which are legally sold in nearby Virginia -- and that may be what people are hearing. He does not believe Pocomoke City has a gun problem.

The Rev. James Jones of Save the Youth, an anti-crime community group, said the calls are legitimate and he has first-hand knowledge of youths in Pocomoke carrying guns.

"I have no idea why the police aren't finding these situations to be accurate and adequate. ... It does happen on a regular basis," Jones said. "I live on the edge, away from town, and I hear them also. I know young men around here are carrying weapons. I have talked to them about it."

Worcester County State's Attorney Beau Oglesby, in an interview, said he's heard the sounds himself.

"I was in Pocomoke with the Criminal Enforcement Team executing two search warrants when I heard gunshots," said Oglesby, who took office last winter. "I personally heard nine gunshots go off while I sat with law enforcement. ... There is no doubt in my mind they were gunshots."

Jones said he respects the police department and the work they do, but said there may not be enough trust between the community and the police department. This lack of trust, Jones said, may be making those hearing the shots reluctant to talk to police.

"They don't want to hear gunshots. They fear a stray bullet may hit one of their loved ones. But when it comes down to sharing the who, what, where, when and why with police, they are a bit reluctant," Jones said.

During a community meeting last June, in the wake of the shooting death of Reginald Handy Jr., Pocomoke City Police Chief J.D. Ervin said police can't prevent violence when "somebody targets somebody."

During the last year, the Salisbury Police Department received 180 calls for "shots fired," 18 of which were found to be legitimate. Pocomoke City has received 25 calls in the same time frame, none of which has yeilded evidence.

Captain Mark Tyler of the SPD says whenever the department receives a call they send every available unit.

"You have to respond as if someone has been hit," Tyler said. After police arrive, if there is not an obvious victim or shooter, police begin going door-to-door asking if residents have heard anything.

"We stay there until we have completely exhausted our resources for the shots fired call," Tyler said.
There is no set number of officers required for a shots fired call, Tyler said, but police often stay in the area for 10 minutes or longer.

During the most recent call for shots fired in Pocomoke City, police said one officer responded and reported hearing something sounding like gunshots, but could not find where the noise was coming from. The officer's paperwork listed the incident as unfounded, in part because the officer could not find any witnesses or casings.

From a prosecution standpoint, Oglesby said if members of the community are not willing to step forward and work with police and his office to identify suspects, nothing can be done.

"If shots are being reported fired, then most likely someone saw them being fired," Oglesby said. "Until the community is willing to work with law enforcement, it is incredibly difficult to be proactive and make a difference."

Source;  http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110526/NEWS01/105260387/Evidence-elusive-gunshot-calls?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|frontpage