By Jeremy Weldon

Batesville Police Chief Jimmy McCloud said this week the department is cracking down on random gunshots being fired inside the city limits One man was arrested Saturday and officers have been instructed to find reportedly violating weapons violations.

Arrested Jan. 5 and charged with discharging a firearm was Dennie Clark Henderson who is accused of shooting into the air on Martin Luther King Dr. Officers receiving a call about a single shot fired and traced it to Henderson who said he had fired the gun to scare unruly children in the neighborhood.

“We have people who for some reason think they can just fire a weapon into the air for whatever reason and the police department is not going to allow it inside the city limits,” McCloud said. “There’s a reason we have these weapons laws and Batesville police are going to be very strict about enforcement.”

The chief said people forget that bullets shot into the air come down, and are a danger to everyone in the area. “People sometimes may not think they are causing any real danger and are just shooting to be shooting, but it’s a serious matter,” he said. “There is no reason at all under normal circumstances for anyone to discharge a weapon inside the city limits.”

Other than special exemptions for hunting on private property, all shooting, including target practice, should be done outside the city limits, according to local statutes.

Penalties for violation of weapons laws can range from fines to jail time for repeated offenses.

Additionally this week, McCloud said officers have worked several vehicle burglaries lately where thieves stole items from unlocked cars and trucks.

Police often remind residents and motorists the best way to deter thefts from vehicles it to keep valuables locked in the truck or hidden from view, and to always keep windows up and doors locked.