Fort Myers police urge safe celebrations, warn against gunfire

FORT MYERS, Fla. —

Fort Myers police say they have not made any arrests this year related to celebratory gunfire, a statistic they hope to keep unchanged as residents gather for holidays such as the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve.

Police are increasing patrols across the city, warning that firing a gun into the air is illegal and dangerous — and can have deadly consequences.

For longtime Fort Myers resident Wanda Vouknight, holiday celebrations often come with uncertainty.

"From fireworks to gunshots, I hear it all the time," Vouknight said. "I can’t tell the difference anymore."

She said the sounds keep her alert during days of celebration, unsure of what is being fired into the air around her neighborhood.

"They get out in the yard and shoot up in the air," she said. "I don’t know what else they’d be shooting at."

Police say bullets fired into the air eventually come back down and can travel long distances, posing a serious risk to anyone nearby.

"When you shoot a bullet in the air, it comes down somewhere," said Fort Myers police officer John Basta. "People don’t think about that. They’re just thinking about having fun."

Celebratory gunfire is a crime in Florida, and police stress that there is nothing festive about endangering lives. To protect the public, the Fort Myers Police Department will have extra patrols throughout the city, focusing on neighborhood safety and responding quickly to reports of gunfire.

Police are urging residents to celebrate responsibly and report any suspected gunfire immediately.

"You can celebrate in other ways," Basta said.

Anyone who hears or witnesses gunfire is asked to call Fort Myers police at 239-321-7700 or submit an anonymous tip through Atlas One, rather than assuming the sound is fireworks.

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