SAN ANTONIO — Nobody really knows how many shell casings have been recovered from Hampton Street in east San Antonio over the course of the last week.
Some were recovered by San Antonio police and some were picked up by neighbors who said they got tired of waiting for police to respond.
Many said they understood the delay. According to the Texas penal code, firing a weapon without hurting anyone or damaging property is a Class A misdemeanor, and most neighbors said they understand that police are busy with more serious matters.
Still, in this neighborhood less than 100 yards from the roar of traffic on Interstate 10 near Roland, but still in the heart of an urban area, there are large tracts of undeveloped land and many houses on large lots. Chickens can be heard clucking in some yards, while beautiful stands of yellow wild mustard flowers wave with the breeze.
But this past week, neighbors said their paradise has seen a blast of gun violence, with four nearby drive-by shooting incidents.
Ruben said one morning this week he was in the shower when he was shaken by a barrage of rounds that were close by.
"I had to yell at my girlfriend to see if she was alright and make sure the baby is OK," Ruben said.
Seeing 10 shell casings left behind in the street, Ruben said, "I haven't heard this many gunshots in my life. It's scary, especially if you're going to work early."
Ruben said he has heard shots being fired close to his house four times in the last six days.
A few yards away, Breanna shares the same sentiments.
"I'm assuming it's just people shooting up in the air as they're driving by, because on three different occasions we've found shell casings littered all outside in the roadway outside of our home," she said.
Gunshots are common in the area, Breanna said. But they usually are heard off in the distance.
"Once you start hearing them outside your house it's enough to make you jump out of bed and hit the floor at night, and it's happening every other night," Breanna said.
During the first attack, on a weekend, Breanna said they attributed the shots to someone celebrating. When it happened a second time, they called police.
"It was around 9 p.m. and we had no immediate response," she said. "So I said I would call back tomorrow and when I called the third time they said they would do a close patrol."
After a few days and nights of worry, Breanna said she made a connection with the SAFFE officer for her neighborhood.
SAFFE is an acronym for "San Antonio for a Fear Free Environment." SAFFE officers work not on active crime calls, but directly with citizens to stop crime before it starts—like in the Artesia neighborhood, where drive-by shootings suddenly became a problem.
"The SAFFE officer came to our house. He just seemed like he was ready to be involved and wants to help so I'm really happy about that," Breanna said.
As a busy mother of small children, Breanna said she understands the load of never-ending calls patrol officers respond to, so she finds the concept of community-building a comfort.
"It seems like the SAFFE officer wanted to make those relationships with the community. That's something nice to see on this side of town. You want to see the police wanting to help."
Breanna said now that she has made the connection, she hopes other neighbors will reach out and build even stronger bonds.
"We want this to be a good neighborhood," she added. "We want our kids to be outside without getting shot by a stray bullet."
Breanna said she knows this kind of effort can pay dividends because the neighbors previously worked together to bring a stop to illegal dumping in the area.
"Just exchanging information has deterred a lot of that. There have been times where we have chased people off and we are seeing less dumping and with time it makes a huge difference," Breanna said.
Admitting the area has a problem with its reputation, Breanna said she believes things are getting better.
"We really like it here. We're close to downtown. We really enjoy our time here and our neighborhood because everyone is nice," she said, adding she remains. "I think we can clean it up a little more."
To connect with the SAPD SAFFE program nearest to you, click here.