We've been getting a lot of e-mail lately saying, "What are those BOOMS I hear all evening?" Since gunfire's not exactly been an unknown event around here lately, readers -- and we -- have been a bit on edge, wondering if it's time to make yet another 911 call.I've been hearing a lot of big bang-type noises recently - many more than before. Each time I jump because I think they're gunshots, but I realize they could very well be fireworks (these aren't the multiple-pop-type fireworks, more like one big bang). I've noticed a bunch of kids doing fireworks in the alley by me, and when I watched them and heard the noise I realized that what I had been mistaking for gunshots was really fireworks. Could you please post something on how to tell if what you're hearing are fireworks or gunshots, or pose the question to the group?
So how 'bout it, readers? How do you tell the difference?
Watch some Michael Mann films, like Heat or Collateral. That director has an appreciation for the realistic sound of gunfire. Think less of a boom and more of a pop.
ReplyDeleteShootout scene from "Heat". This is fairly realistic except for the echoes caused by the highrises.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good description. Gunfire is sharper. What I've been hearing tonight seems to be M-80 type fireworks. In another words 1/8 sticks of dynamite.
I fired a large variety of weapons back in my military days and what you are hearing tonight or at least what I am hearing are firecrackers and the occasional M-80.
Get used to it for the next 3 weeks.
yeah the fireworks occured between 7:30 to 8:00. I can tell many people called police because The sirens where heard from all corners of my apartment trying to find where it was coming from.
ReplyDeleteA police officer also once told me that there's a way of knowing when gunfire is meant to scare someone and when it's meant to kill someone. The difference is the timing between each shot. If the gunfire is more rapid, the intent is morel likely to try to kill someone.
ReplyDeleteUch, I was trying to sleep last night when all those kids started lighting those fireworks off. Every freaking year. Except they start it earlier and earlier and end their festivities later every year.
ReplyDeleteLast night was definitely fireworks, they were lighting them off in "grand finale" fashion for about ten minutes. So unless there was Beirut-type warfare going on for an hour last night, I think it was those damn kids again!!!
Last nights booms were from fireworks being let off at a country club by Foster and the Lake. It was their 75th anniversay...
ReplyDeleteThe fireworks go on in Uptown from June-September. We had a guy last year that lived across the street that used to open his door, light a pack of fireworks, and then walk back inside without even listening to them. OCD anyone? He would do this about 6 times a day.
ReplyDeleteAs far as gun shots vs fireworks, it is one of those things that when it happens you will know. When the gang banger started shooting At Sunnyside in May at the first "pop" I new to get down. Fireworks go "bang" pistols go "pop."
It's not just an Uptown thing... It happens all over the city from June to September, with the exception of the uber-gentrified neighborhoods like Lake View, Lincoln Park, Gold Coast, etc. I think it's actually worse on the Northwest Side.
ReplyDeleteI agree with UptownR, this is an almost citywide thing, and in the grand scheme of things, not a huge deal. I'll take fireworks over gunfire any day of the week!
ReplyDeleteStill annoying as hell though...