local thieves in the big Canadian city where I live often set off fireworks, which, if timed well, sound quite similar to gun shots, as a way of causing distrac

local thieves in the big Canadian city where I live often set off fireworks, which, if timed well, sound quite similar to gun shots, as a way of causing distractions. set off a few "gun battles" on the other side of a suburb and then boost the cars or break into the stores. there was speculation there actual shootings happening, but the stats don't back that up -- lots of calls and disturbances, but few actual attacks.