Hmm ... what part of "outside my window" did you miss? My window over looks a "parking" street, where many park to go to bars late at night. Every other night some dumbass teenagers get into it and the cops get called, if not already close. No, they don't cuff immediately ... couple of times they didn't cuff at all and let them go after a few questions, as long as they didn't run or resist that is.
Well, if they're called for a noise complaint it's different. I'm talking about suspects in a crime not violation of a noise ordinance. They pull up and nobody is fleeing or acting erratic, then what's the point. If they got a call about an assault and someone bolts when they pull up, that's when the real police work comes in. Apprehend and cuff...and kick the shit out of em if they wanna get Billy Badass on you.
Actually, no, most of the time it's for fighting (don't remember the actual cite reference) a couple of times for gunfire (some of those were actually fire crackers), usually with guns drawn and forced to the ground for a moment to assess the situation, then it all depends on what's going on.
Man, your city has some brave officers. If I was called out for gunfire, I am gonna run outta handcuffs and zip ties and rope and shoelaces and...you get the picture.