As San Antonio heads into New Year’s Eve and other big celebration days, police and city leaders are renewing a familiar warning: leave the guns out of the party. On Wednesday, officials urged residents to report any celebratory gunfire to the department's non-emergency line at 210-207-SAPD (7273), noting that holiday periods routinely trigger a spike in calls about shots fired in neighborhoods.
Officers stressed that bullets fired straight into the air do not magically disappear. They come back down with potentially lethal force, and discharging a firearm inside city limits can bring criminal charges.
Department post includes Spanish transcript
SAPD has been pushing the message on social media, posting images and an OCRed Spanish-language transcript to Facebook that clearly states, “tirar balas al aire es ilegal en Texas,” and lists 210-207-SAPD as the number to call to report shots, according to the department's post. You can see the full notice on the San Antonio Police Department's Facebook post.
The reminder tracks with earlier outreach highlighted in local coverage of the city's Call the Shots campaign.
City ramps up outreach and enforcement
The City of San Antonio formally launched the "Call the Shots" public-awareness campaign in June to discourage celebratory gunfire and teach residents how to report it, officials said. According to the city's press release, enforcement will be stepped up during peak celebration periods, and residents are encouraged to call SAPD's non-emergency line at 210-207-7273 to report suspected gunfire.
City leaders say the campaign blends digital outreach, neighborhood partnerships and targeted patrols in an effort to head off dangerous behavior before it turns into tragedy.
How the law treats celebratory gunfire
Under Texas law, reckless or dangerous gunfire is more than bad judgment; it can be treated as a crime. Texas Penal Code §22.05 defines "deadly conduct" and allows prosecutors to bring charges for reckless discharges inside city limits, typically as a Class A misdemeanor.
If someone knowingly fires in the direction of people or occupied buildings or vehicles, the same statute allows for a felony charge. Legal explainers point out that cases often turn on whether investigators can show the gunfire put others in imminent danger, with penalties escalating when a bullet is directed at a person or a habitation.
Holiday call volumes and neighborhood risk
San Antonio has been here before. Local reporting shows the city logged 361 calls for shots fired on January 1, 2024, and about 302 calls on July 4 that same year, according to the Express-News. Nearby cities see similar waves: the Houston Chronicle reported nearly 300 gunfire calls during a recent New Year's Eve, reflecting a broader statewide pattern that keeps first responders hopping during holiday nights.
Officials say most of these calls trace back to celebratory discharges, not targeted shootings. Even so, stray rounds have damaged property and led to rare but serious injuries, a reminder that what feels like a tradition to some can be a life-changing mistake for others.
If you hear gunfire, officials ask that you call SAPD's non-emergency number at 210-207-7273 so officers can check it out, and use 911 only for immediate threats or reported injuries. Investigators also urge residents not to confront suspected shooters in person. Instead, preserve any video or photos you safely capture, since bystander footage often becomes crucial evidence when police track down illegal gunfire.
