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San Antonio committee backs police-led public awareness campaign to curb celebratory gunfire
Summary
The Public Safety Committee unanimously recommended a police-backed public information campaign to reduce injuries and calls tied to celebratory gunfire, after a presentation documenting recent incidents and community concern.
The San Antonio Public Safety Committee on Feb. 8 recommended that the city move forward with a police-led public information campaign aimed at reducing celebratory gunfire during holidays and other events.
The recommendation followed a presentation from San Antonio Police Department staff explaining the dangers of firing guns into the air and summarizing recent incidents. Councilwoman Teresa “Tere” Castillo of District 5 and Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gabito of District 7 sponsored the request to develop the campaign, and the committee approved the recommendation by voice vote.
Committee members and police staff described the human toll of celebratory gunfire. The police presentation cited four cases in early 2025 that resulted in injuries, including a child and a teenager. The presentation said bullets fired into the air return with enough force to cause injury; the police recommended a public-education push to encourage reporting and reduce incidents.
“Thank you to Councilwoman Castillo for bringing the victims’ stories forward,” Alderete Gabito said during the discussion, adding that describing the personal impact helps residents understand the risk. Councilmember White voiced support for the staff proposal and urged broad community ownership of the campaign.
The committee’s recommendation asks city staff, Metro Health and the police department to coordinate on campaign content, measurement metrics and outreach through social and traditional media. Committee members emphasized both educating residents and encouraging reporting of incidents so police can track and respond to problem locations.
The motion to recommend the campaign passed by voice vote. Committee members said they will return with follow-up materials showing planned messaging and measures of success.
The committee earlier approved the minutes of its Feb. 8 meeting by voice vote.
