Several residents of Parryville attended the March Borough Council meeting to express growing concerns about another resident discharging firearms “unsafely” on his property on the outskirts of town. The residents did not name the property owner, but said he shoots a variety of high-powered firearms late into the night, especially on the weekends.

Neighbors say he discharges these firearms while consuming alcohol and possibly marijuana. Residents, including Mayor Tom Kobel and board members who live near the property, have contacted the Pennsylvania State Police.

One neighbor said, “I can’t stand on my deck because they are shooting and the bullets land in my yard.”

Kevin Christman, in support of his father, Adam, who lives adjacent to the property, said, “The rounds are shooting onto my father’s land. They are clearly not stopping on (the shooter’s) property.”

Christman has posted videos on his Facebook page.

Neighbor Clint Schafer expressed concerns about the shooter’s drinking which “clearly violates the law.”

Sharon Moyer, another neighbor, has found bullets and casings in her yard “for years” and has contacted the state police many times.

The neighbors have tried to “reach out the neighborly way” and were met with resistance and “arrogance,” according to Schafer. He said, “he just gives us dirty looks to make fools out of us.”

The council was sympathetic toward the residents since several of them have adjoining properties and one, at least, has small children. However, council President Jason Smith said that while “we 100% agree that this resident is breaking the law … we are limited to what we can do because it’s a state police issue.”

At present, he said, “there are no ordinances in Parryville that prevent a resident from discharging firearms on private property,” and existing ordinances only deal with public or private gun ranges. All applicable laws are state laws and can only be enforced by Pennsylvania State Police.

When asked why the council doesn’t create a new law, Vice President Dustin Wentz said a new ordinance would then “apply to all the people who lawfully and considerately hunt, and target shoot on their own property.” He said, “we all want to find a resolution, but my family has hunted on that land for generations, and I plan to take my own sons out there.” He, too, has contacted the state police.

When asked what they can do to stop this resident, borough solicitor Robert Frycklund confirmed that the “borough council is not a law enforcement agency. We cannot contradict state law, and there is no law preventing him from shooting on his property.”

He added that Parryville is “dependent on the state police. We simply don’t have the funds to hire police.” He and the council encouraged residents to contact the state police each time the resident discharges ammunitions unsafely, under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances, and/or find casings on their property. He encouraged them to seek legal counsel to file a criminal complaint, as well.

Smith suggested they invite a representative from the state police to meet with the residents at next month’s council meeting to discuss their concerns and discuss their ordinances. This was well-received by the attending residents. They are hoping that sharing their concerns with the state police will help end unsafe practices.