Why You May Hear Shots Fired on Sherwood Way Tonight

The sound of gunfire may ring out in the 2200 block of Sherwood Way this evening around 9 p.m., however the shots are likely not part of a drive-by street-gang duel, says a Facebook post from the San Angelo Police Department. Instead, a company hired by Texas Bank will be firing blanks in an attempt to vacate a large flock of Grackles that are roosting on the property. 

Assistant Chief Jeff Fant confirmed the company initiated the dispersement method last night and will continue to do so until the birds leave. "It may take a few tries for this to convince the birds to leave permanently," Fant wrote in an email.

The method has been successfully used to disrupt roosting birds in the past, Fant said. When buzzards roost in neighborhoods, the Parks and Wildlife Department is typically involved in dispersing the fowl. A loud report, similar to a gunshot, along with strobing lights, tends to aggravate the birds and they move to another roosting place, Fant explained.

The company itself has been hired by Texas Bank and is in no way affiliated with the police department, however the police department and patrol officers are aware of it.