Frustrated homeowners in a South Fort Worth neighborhood are already bracing for a barrage of gunfire on New Year’s Eve. They know it’s coming. Gun violence perpetrated by armed youth, residents say, has become a norm and not enough is being done about it. Multiple residents told NBC 5 the y have been living under a constant state of fear for months because of random gunfire in or near their relatively new subdivision. Joseph Aviles moved his family to the Sycamore Landing community about four years ago. “It’s wonderful during the day, but then sun goes down, and street lights come on, and it’s like the Wild West,” he said. Homeowner Ernesto Arango says residents’ pleas for more security or a consistent police presence have not been met. “Fort Worth [police] responds when we call. Sometimes it’s quick, sometimes it’s not,” he said. “We’ve made plenty police reports and they patrol ever so frequently and then it fades.” Frustrated neighbors have added surveillance cameras and remained in constant communication, reporting the latest round of shots and ensuring no one has been hurt. Arango, a U.S. Marine, moved into the new development four years ago hoping to retire here after his years of service. Hearing shots fired in the middle of the night is understandably traumatic for the combat veteran. “I spent three tours in Iraq throughout my 23 years in the Marine Corps and me coming on the heels of my retirement, I’m looking for peace,” said Arango. “I’m looking get away from that [and] I’m living it back at my house, in my community with my neighbors.” The latest incident of shots being fired happened at about 4 a.m. on New Year’s Eve, according to multiple neighbors. “It was roughly 30 gunshots just over this overpass bridge near Sycamore Creek and yesterday again, Sunday it happened, so it’s consistently happening,” said Arango. “The detective involved with this told me [he found] 30 shell casings on the bridge,” said Arango. “That’s a huge concern. That’s a lot of power. That’s a lot of fire power.” A small bridge over Sycamore Creek also tends to be a spot where teens gather. Arango says the shots come from different firearms. “I see the shell casings on the bridge and typically they’re 9 mil and 10 mil rounds, so pretty powerful rounds,” he said. In one incident, the neighbors say armed youth stood at an intersection and opened fire on one house, striking a car and the garage door. NBC 5 spoke briefly with the impacted homeowner who confirmed her house had been shot at twice, but she said she does not know why they would be targeted. Stray Bullets pierced another neighbor’s home multiple times and struck Joseph Aviles’ Toyota pickup truck. Even worse, says Aviles, his daughter witnessed the aftermath. “This innocent 12-year-old child watching something like that happening. What can I say to her?” asked a frustrated Aviles. “It’s gotten to the point where I’m considering leaving this neighborhood because I don’t want my kids to feel unsafe in their own home.” The number of young families living throughout their community has only deepened concerns that someone will get hurt or be killed before more action is taken. “We’re really blessed that nobody has been hurt or worse to this point, but I don’t see that streak continuing if we continue down this same path,” said Aviles. Arango urges parents to parent their teens and not allow them out on the streets past midnight. When asked what they want from authorities, including their HOA, multiple people said they want stepped-up security. “If our HOA hires some security for some presence,” suggests Arango. “It’s a tall ask, but Fort Worth PD to maybe station a car here for certain hours of the night.” While they understand FWPD is busy handling other violent crimes, they feel frustrated and feel more needs to be done before it’s too late. “You’re here to help, you’re here to serve and protect, and we need it,” said Aviles. NBC 5 reached out to the Fort Worth Police Department on Wednesday and confirmed there have been four reports of gunfire in this area in the past month. When asked to respond to concerns over police response or action, spokesman Officer Dangiel Segura said, “We continue to encourage all residents in the area to call 911 or non-emergency.  We will forward this information to the patrol division.” ...read more read less