Liverpool — On Nov. 13, heavily armed gunmen killed 130 people and injured hundreds at a concert hall, soccer stadium, bars and restaurants across Paris, France. That same day, four people were murdered and one wounded in a shooting in Jacksonville, Fla.
On Nov. 27 three innocent people were shot to death and nine were wounded in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Then a few days later in San Bernadino, Calif., 14 people were slaughtered and 21 were wounded by a man and a woman wearing tactical gear and firing rifles and semi-automatic handguns. That same day in Savannah, Ga., a gunman killed one and wounded three.
No wonder the sound of gunshots echo in our mind’s ear.
No wonder — when sudden explosive eruptions reached the ears of Liverpool-area residents on Nov. 30 — the listeners immediately assumed that firearms were being discharged nearby.
False alarm in L’pool
More than a half dozen calls to 911 on the night of Monday, Nov. 30, reported the sound of shots fired in the southeast corner of the village and the Electronics Parkway neighborhood.
Officers from the Liverpool Police Department and Onondaga County Sheriff’s deputies responded at 9:34 p.m., and the investigation concluded 15 minutes later after officers determined that no firearms had been used.
“Calls came in from throughout the area,” said LPD Chief Don Morris. “We went out there and so did the sheriff’s office, which dispatched a canine unit to the scene. But no evidence was found to indicate that there had actually been gunshots.”
Residents of Tamarack Street and Pearl Street in the village and from Old Liverpool Road, Sunflower Drive and Electronics Parkway, all reported the sound of gunfire to 911.
Morris suggested that the callers may have heard fireworks or the backfire of an automobile engine.
Vigilance urged
Nevertheless, Liverpool Police want citizens to report any suspicious persons, activities or incidents by calling 911 and requesting Liverpool Police. People can also leave anonymous tips by calling 457-0722, ext. 6, to record the information.
continued — And local police are actively embracing new technology.
To contact the cops, you can text TIP411. You can download the county’s TIP411 mobile app on iPhone or Android or you can find the Onondaga County Crime Tips Facebook page. All police agencies countywide, from college public safety officers to sheriff’s deputies, can now be reached at any time with a TIP411 text, District Attorney William Fitzpatrick announced last week.
The tip code for the Liverpool Police is TIPLIV.
New clerk for Carey
Jillian Herrera has been hired as a clerk in the office of Town Justice Paul Carey. Herrera’s appointment was approved by the Salina Town Board on Oct. 13.
By the way, while wearing his other hat as a criminal defense attorney, Judge Carey represented Steven Szatanek in Oswego County Court where the 33-year-old Baldwinsville man was found guilty Dec. 4 of the Aug. 10, 2014 murder of 17-year-old Anna-Rose Shove. Over the course of the two-week trial, the prosecution proved that the Rochester-area teenager was forcibly drowned in Lake Ontario at Brennan’s Beach.
Carey expects to appeal the guilty verdict.
L’pool talent showcased
Liverpool High School alum Nick Blaney, a talented operatic baritone, will perform at the ninth annual Christmas at The Palace Concert featuring the Mario DeSantis Orchestra, at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at the Palace Theater 2384 James St., in Eastwood. Other Liverpool notables on the bill include saxophonist/arranger Joe Riposo and vocalist Keith Condon.
Admission costs $25; 487-7611; desantisorchestra.com.
The columnist can be reached at [email protected].
