Decatur - are those gunshots or fireworks? (Atlanta, White: apartment complex, renting)

[Skelefiend]

So, I'm new to Decatur. I moved in around August to some roommates who have lived here for a number of years. They haven't really experienced anything bad or terrible in this general vicinity. Right now we're in the 30032 area code near the intersection of Columbia and Memorial, (to give you a clearer sense of where we are in Decatur).

Over the last couple of months, about once a week / every two weeks, we've been hearing a loud, dissonant banging noise. The best way to describe it would be a distant firework... or a gun being shot off. The actual noise only happens onceduring the night, sometimes twice, but that's it. There's no ambulance or police noise heard afterwards or anything like that. The direction of the sound is in the opposite direction of East Atlanta and downtown Decatur, (so what I assume would be deeper into DeKalb county). If you go further down Columbia away from downtown Decatur, that area seems to gets super sketchy starting at a half mile up and further, which has led to my speculation that it's gunshots from crimes happening.

So, I'm posting this to talk with other residents in this general vicinity to either a) glean some knowledge on what that may be, or b) know what we're talking about and may be able to shed some light.

We live on a quiet street that doesn't get much general or foot traffic, so we haven't had problems with crime. Obviously, for me, if I'm hearing a dissonant gunshot (or firework!) I'd like to know that somebody else may know what I'm talking about and either confirm or deny my fear.

Thanks!

[Born 2 Roll]

Oh, you live in an area south of the City of Decatur in an area of unincorporated Decatur that is affectionately known as "THE DECK".

One would like to think that those are fireworks that you are hearing....But knowing where you live at, those probably are not fireworks that you keep hearing.

[samiwas1]

Before they tore it down, we lived right next to a seedy apartment complex. They lit off quite a few fireworks up there. And literally every single time someone set off a firework, someone would jump on our neighborhood Facebook page and say "Oh my god...more gunshots!!!" Somehow I don't think there were 3-5 episodes of gunshots every week without some sort of police response. No amount of "No, those were fireworks....again" could calm these people down.

Just reflecting upon a story...I don't know about your situation. If it's frequent enough and you never hear sirens, I would assume it's fireworks.

[AnsleyPark]

Could be coming from a quarry.

[cparker73]

I moved to the same area of 30032 last summer near the intersection of Candler and Memorial in the White Oak Hills neighborhood and hear those fireworks/gunshots, too; especially over the last couple of months with all the holidays. Sometimes your gut tells you that it's nothing but fireworks. Other times, you know they're gunshots but probably nothing with criminal intent because I look at the police incident reports and can't find any police responses or reported injuries.

Is there anyone with more insight on what's going on with this area? This neighborhood is "transitional," and there's a 10-year-old house that just sold for just under $500k, but it's a few doors down from a shack that's barely worth $40k. There's a lot of newer construction (10 years or less), but it doesn't look like much new has been built since 2007. Why did this area take off, and what would it take to get it going again? I'm renting a 5BR Craftsman I'd be interested in buying from my landlord if I could feel like this area will take off again. It's not Oakhurst, but I'll take what I can afford.

[Iconographer]

Ill take gunshots for the win, Alex.

[lem1985]

Originally Posted by Born 2 Roll

Oh, you live in an area south of the City of Decatur in an area of unincorporated Decatur that is affectionately known as "THE DECK".

One would like to think that those are fireworks that you are hearing....But knowing where you live at, those probably are not fireworks that you keep hearing.

The DEC not Deck

[lem1985]

if your're afraid could always move out or ask the neighbors if they think those are fireworks or gunshots

[magnetar]

Join your neighborhood group on Facebook or Nextdoor. Every time I hear something, by the time I load it on my phone someone else has already asked about it.

[carrot]

Sometimes dump trucks/ trash trudks sound loud and gun shot like. Do you live near where a trash truck works near a apt complex or something?