West Seattle 4th of July 2014: Night notes, including fireworks, stabbing, crash

8:37 PM: As night falls, we’re starting a sort of live chronicle/open thread going here – anything of note that we hear about via scanner, text (206-293-6302), e-mail, etc. We start with another reminder that if you lose or find a pet tonight, once you’ve checked around the neighborhood, please send a note – pic if you have one, but not mandatory – to editor@westseattleblog.com, and we’ll put a listing on the WSB Lost/Found Pets page, which is already busier than other days of the year. Hoping for a safe night for all.

9:04 PM: Police are checking out a reported strong-arm robbery at the bus stop on Barton by Roxhill Park, per the scanner. The victim is reported to have said a group of 8 or so robbers “stole his fireworks” and then got on a RapidRide bus. By the way, police *are* being dispatched to some fireworks calls. We’ve heard addresses from Westwood to Alki.

9:27 PM: A dispatch to the 2700 block of Alki right now, with a report of someone putting fireworks in front of cars and on fences. Meantime, LS in Highland Park just sent this report about something earlier tonight:

Around 8 pm, I saw someone driving away very fast in a very loud white pickup, and looking back toward my mailbox seconds before it exploded. Police arrived about half an hour after I reported it, and are submitting it to the bomb squad. It was a sizeable bomb. Apparently the same person (same pickup) was seen after exploding something else in W Seattle (according to the officers). Hopefully someone will see the license plate and report this jerk.

9:54 PM: The fireworks dispatches/callouts on the scanner continue – addresses all over West Seattle. Also a few minutes ago, four people reported to be brawling near 61st/Stevens in Alki. Meantime, the fireworks on Lake Union are now less than half an hour away.

10:26 PM: “Chinese lanterns, falling into people’s yards” in the 2400 block of Alki. (Likely the popular “sky lanterns.) And now another strong-arm-robbery report, not far from the first one – someone saying they were knocked down by QFC at Westwood Village, and had their wallet stolen. Police got there quickly and now report “one in custody.” (Again, this is all preliminary information – we won’t be able to see the final reports before Monday.) Over on Lake Union, the big Seafair-produced fireworks show has begun. (**a few minutes later**) Brush-fire call at the former Genesee Hill Elementary.

10:45 PM: Fireworks on Lake Union are over. East Alki will be emptying out. But the unofficial shows continue. Someone just texted about “huge” fireworks visible somewhere near California/College in Admiral.

11 PM: Police are going to start “sweeping the beach” to tell people Alki Beach Park is closed (as of 11) and that it’s time to clear out.

12:52 AM: Much quieter out there; so far, no major incidents in West Seattle, though police and fire have been plenty busy.

2:08 AM: Missed the initial dispatch for the “assault with weapons” call at 64th/Admiral. A private ambulance was called, suggesting non-life-threatening injuries, and the call closed after about half an hour, so, pending further info, it seems to have not been major; will update when we find out more.

2:47 AM: We’ve received a phone call from someone who says he was a witness. He says a stranger barged into a neighborhood party and stabbed one of the guests, then ran out. The caller alleges police were slow to show, and that the suspect – who he described as white, mid-30s, bearded, blondish-brownish hair, wearing a white shirt – was long gone. He didn’t have an update on the victim’s condition but did affirm the injury didn’t seem to be life-threatening. (added) Southwest Precinct Lt. Paul Leung did respond to our original inquiry and also said it was a private party, at which, he says, an “unknown person showed up and somehow got into an altercation with one of the guests. The guest was cut in the hand with a knife and the suspect left in an unknown direction. The injuries were minor. Everyone was intoxicated.”

4:06 AM: Reader report from Kristen:

Just want to report that there was a car crash here on Marine View and about a block south of 106th at about 2:44 AM – one that sent a Jeep off the road into a downhill bank. My household and I heard the screeching of tires and then a loud crash. We found a Jeep off the main road crashed in-between trees… but no one there. Apparently the driver and anyone else in the car split… we called the police and two officers arrived immediately. They’re towing the car and I suspect the driver will be notified accordingly (which makes it all the more silly that they would think running would be smart)…

Tonight is an especially perilous night because of the holiday, but people almost always come around the curve on MVD too fast, going north and south. This is not the first time we’ve known someone to take it too fast and go careening off the main road (we live on the part of MVD that dips below the main road), sober or drunk. I wish that drivers would be more cautious on the main road. Tonight was certainly a scary reminder that people need to be more aware that there is potential to careen off the road if they’re going too fast!

We’ll be checking with police to see if the car by any chance was stolen – which is sometimes the case when a crashed car is abandoned.

109 Replies to "West Seattle 4th of July 2014: Night notes, including fireworks, stabbing, crash"

  • Aaron Hobson July 4, 2014 (9:02 pm)

    I also have my scanner going

  • Eric July 4, 2014 (9:27 pm)

    Geez, what is the deal with the Barton bus stop? That area just sucks

  • alki resident July 4, 2014 (9:33 pm)

    Its going to get worse before dawn. Im staying home tonite,its not worth all the chaos.

  • cj July 4, 2014 (9:41 pm)

    Yea lots of rowdy behavior and loud fire works right in the street. Its quieter not, hope it stays that way.

  • West Seattle Hipster July 4, 2014 (9:47 pm)

    The one night of the year I wish it would rain.

    .

    Seriously, what compels otherwise intelligent adults to shoot explosives over the neighbors homes?

    .

    I feel like I live in Auburn or Kent right now……

  • sc July 4, 2014 (9:51 pm)

    I can’t believe the amount and noise of the fire works going off. Wish the rain would start again!

    • WSB July 4, 2014 (9:54 pm)

      It’s a lot noisier in our neighborhood (uphill from central Lincoln Park) than last year. Nothing visible from the windows by which I’m working but here on a hillside we can hear clearly across some distance …

  • Mike July 4, 2014 (9:53 pm)

    Sounds like artillery duel in our neighborhood as the riff-raff amuse themselves with bang, gang, bang.

  • FauntleeHillBill July 4, 2014 (10:03 pm)

    Fauntlee Hills…Order of magnitude louder than ever…this is nuts.

  • West Seattle Hipster July 4, 2014 (10:09 pm)

    Why are fireworks illegal in Seattle? It is clearly a law that is not enforced.

    .

    For all those wingnuts who claim the economy is in the tank, I beg to differ. If folks can waste money on explosives, clearly there is a lot of disposable income.

  • Mike July 4, 2014 (10:10 pm)

    Much worse than usual in our neighborhood between Harbor and Admiral. Lots of heavy stuff. Listening to police scanner, and can’t see how they possibly can keep up with the requests for service.

  • JEM July 4, 2014 (10:18 pm)

    I hope my boyfriend’s neighbors don’t mind the firepit disco dance party we’re having in the back yard. It’s the best way to distract the dog from the artillery fire….

  • Alphonse July 4, 2014 (10:34 pm)

    Feral tweens in the Charlestown Café parking lot having their own pyro show. Guessing if you followed them home you’d find the adults who require reflective flags to cross the street and who call 911 when a stranger knocks on their doors. Timid West Seattleites, get some control over your out of control children before something life changing happens to them.

  • Ray July 4, 2014 (10:38 pm)

    Delridge and Barton area. Like a warzone out there.

    Shells and other fireworks going off everywhere.

    It is awesome!

  • Bonnie July 4, 2014 (10:39 pm)

    Much louder than last year in fauntlee hills.

  • hopey July 4, 2014 (10:42 pm)

    We live close to the Junction, and it’s much noisier here as well. There is a near-constant rumble of fireworks in the distance, and many more noisemakers being shot off nearby. I would guess that the nice weather is to blame for the pyrotechnic enthusiasm.

  • Annoyed July 4, 2014 (10:45 pm)

    Absolutely out of control along Charlestown from 47th to 55th (couple blocks each way). It’s never been this bad, been going on for well over an hour. You’d never know fireworks are illegal. These are big loud explosives that shoot up 50-60 ft in the air. Ridiculous.
    What a nuisance.

  • Rick July 4, 2014 (10:48 pm)

    3000 block of Belvidere in North Admiral, neighbors have a box of 1/2 sticks of dynamite from Mexico! Come party!!

  • NeoYogi July 4, 2014 (10:52 pm)

    So much more stuff going off compared to last year. Geez. Even my deaf dog is freaking out because they are so close. Neighbors in the Belvidere area…please keep it safe. Thanks!

  • YeloRose July 4, 2014 (10:58 pm)

    I’ve lived where fireworks were legal and never seen and heard so many.

  • Ray July 4, 2014 (11:02 pm)

    Yeah, this is the most here I have ever seen/

    The police are letting most of this go this year, as the fire danger is low (re: yards/trees, not houses).

    I have only seen the very occasional patrol in the Delridge/16th/Barton/Thistle blocks; and they are just patrolling, not tickets/whatnot.

    I say good for them on letting it happen.

    Issue will be the cleanup tomorrow. I know from prior holidays the same people will not clean up their litter.

  • DTK July 4, 2014 (11:09 pm)

    I will only smile at the reports of missing limbs tomorrow morning.

    • WSB July 4, 2014 (11:18 pm)

      Sorry, dude/dudette, no major medical calls tonight. So far.

  • alkigirl July 4, 2014 (11:18 pm)

    Still occasional booms here on 62nd between Alki and Admiral. Yes, much more activity and volume than prior years. How can folks be so unaware of dangers on a narrow street with cars parked both sides?

  • Noelle July 4, 2014 (11:20 pm)

    Did anyone see a meteor in the sky tonight looking at the city just before the fireworks started?

    • WSB July 4, 2014 (11:35 pm)

      Noelle, if I’m correctly interpreting a few tweets I’ve seen tonight, there was something shot off to illuminate the flag atop the Space Needle at the start of the show. Will see if I can find one of those tweets and link it here to see if that’s what you might have seen.
      .
      (edit)
      .
      https://twitter.com/MariaKIRO7/status/485298382273904643

  • Diane July 4, 2014 (11:22 pm)

    this is ridiculous; it’s everywhere; I hate it

  • annoyed July 4, 2014 (11:24 pm)

    Tongan church near 46th and Graham was out of control with fireworks from 9:00- still going at 11:20. People in the street blocking traffic, etc. Insane. So much for fireworks being illegal in Seattle.

  • Community Member July 4, 2014 (11:31 pm)

    We enjoyed all the fireworks – legal displays and the neighgbors’ not legal fireworks as well. (It’s illegal to set them off, but I don’t think there’s any law against enjoying the neighbor’s illegal displays, is there?)
    .
    We could hear every boom from the big Tacoma display, more so than other years. If it seemed unusually loud, maybe there was some atmospheric effect that allowed the booms to be heard over a longer distance than usual.
    .
    Tacoma’s display, Bainbridge Island, and Bremerton’s displays were lovely from the west side of West Seattle.

  • g July 4, 2014 (11:32 pm)

    Bbq poolside, warm with palms fluttering and lots of noise and fireworks in the neighborhood. Everyone having a good time in the SFV (Won’t speak for Murrieta ;) Be back in a week to check on the homestead.

    Happy 4th!

  • Diane July 4, 2014 (11:34 pm)

    it was nearly impossible to drive home; trying to find any residential street that was NOT filled with explosives; I almost ran into a pile of glass bottles/explosives left out in the street; no one there; just a big pile; had to back up about a block to get out; went to viewpoint to see SLU fireworks, and on the east horizon, every inch covered in fireworks; came home to my intersection at 37th & Belvidere; it was on fire; finally home safe, ready to turn on tv and hide away, try to tune out all the noise outside, and tv cable is out; did someone blow up a cable box on a power pole too?
    ~
    seriously; this is ridiculous

  • Liz July 4, 2014 (11:46 pm)

    According to the Seattle Times, those “meteors” were skydivers with sparklers attached to their feet. I am not making that up.
    http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2023988884_fireworksshowxml.html

    • WSB July 5, 2014 (12:01 am)

      Saw that story, didn’t think those would have been visible from over here. But whatever. Lots of unusual sights in the sky besides fireworks on the 4th …

  • Runner July 4, 2014 (11:56 pm)

    Tons of fireworks still going off here down at the beach. I won’t be getting any sleep for long while. Happy and Safe 4th everyone!!!!!

  • joe July 5, 2014 (12:00 am)

    It’s great seeing and hearing the fireworks. It’s one night a year (mostly) and my kids love watching them. Feels great to celebrate this countries independence.

  • miws July 5, 2014 (12:00 am)

    Sorry Community Member, I tend to agree with SO much of what you post on here, and respect how thoughtfully it’s conveyed, but I just can’t agree with you on this one.

    .

    Mike

  • WS4life July 5, 2014 (12:07 am)

    Funny not the haha kind, that people living in a “city” are complaining of noise pollution how absolutely asinine.

  • DRS July 5, 2014 (12:13 am)

    This is a celebration of freedom. To all those snobs who would rather stick their noses up in the air at those of us who would like to enjoy our freedom for one night just remember all the brave men and women who fought against tyranny to give us the right to enjoy ourselves for one night. If you don’t like it move to a country that doesn’t have the kind of freedom that we do.

  • JanS July 5, 2014 (12:16 am)

    Luckily, my immediate ‘hood has calmed down a bunch..but I can hear the mayhem off in the distance. I think this will go on a bit later because tomorrow is mostly not a work day, being Saturday, although for others who may be trying to sleep, it sucks.

    There was a huge house fire in Snoqualmie Ridge earlier this evening…pop bottle rocket suspected…how sad…surprised that more of that doesn’t happen…:(

  • H July 5, 2014 (12:22 am)

    It’s one night a year people lighten up. Be safe and watch your children.

  • cj July 5, 2014 (12:22 am)

    Been in Seattle since 2001 and never seen this much rabble rousing. :/

  • Myles July 5, 2014 (12:30 am)

    Hope there are no fires/injuries with all the neighborhood displays, that said…

    AWESOME ! We enjoyed all the West Seattle fireworks from our front deck, best time since the Super Bowl parade. Our cats enjoyed it too – from inside.

    Happy 4th!

  • Noelle July 5, 2014 (12:30 am)

    THANK YOU WSB & Liz!

  • alki resident July 5, 2014 (12:32 am)

    DTK- You’ll smile about missing limbs? Biggest douche comment of the night award. Nobody deserves missing limbs. People are celebrating freedom. Just stay put in your safe bubble.

  • miws July 5, 2014 (12:35 am)

    DRS, how many of these people do you think are really celebrating freedom? I mean seriously, in their hearts.

    .

    Remembering all of the brave men and women who fought against tyranny? What about those in that group that suffer from PTSD, when fireworks are set off? I personally think that’s reprehensibly disrespectful to them.

    .

    Ummm, H? it’s not just one night, it’s several.

    .

    Mike

  • Mike July 5, 2014 (12:35 am)

    DRS, you are arrogant. Obviously you could give a damn less about any of your fellow neighbors well being and blatantly do not care for any soldier returning from war with PTSD. You are more than welcome to move to Russia, they blow crap up too.

  • DTK July 5, 2014 (5:31 am)

    Hey alki resident- I have no tolerance for stupidity. Blowing things up while drunk with the delusion that it’s about patriotism is beyond ignorance. I’m sure all the terrified pets would be glad to spend the night in my “bubble.”

  • DTK July 5, 2014 (6:53 am)

    Better start stocking up on explosives. Only 364 days to go! USA! USA! USA!

  • Scott July 5, 2014 (7:49 am)

    Just drove down 48th from say Graham St to Brandon St and there was a number of cars with multiple flat tires.

  • sophista-tiki July 5, 2014 (7:51 am)

    People are NOT celebrating freedom. unless they’re hobby lobby religious nuts. They’re being cleche- loud- obnoxious “mericans” blowing off steam and being reckless. Clinging to some vestige of last centuries americana . I don’t have a problem with the fireworks just as long as none of them come towards my property ( I did get to squirt a couple of people with the hose ) by accident of course heh. BUT what I find most disturbing is the strong arm robberies, and that Westwood seems to be one of the congregating areas for aggressive idiots. So here we are back to the Transit hub being a problem with dropping off rif raf to harass the people that live here. Clearly Metro just placated us with a band-aid but the problem still exists.

  • Eric July 5, 2014 (7:52 am)

    Yeah, the brave men and women fought tyranny so people could partake in an activity that ironically was invented in China to celebrate freedom.

    I’m thinking people just like seeing **** blow up

  • Eric July 5, 2014 (8:04 am)

    WSH,

    People wasting money on fireworks doesn’t have that much to do with the economy. Considering I have neighbors down the street who seem to live on food stamps all year long, but always seem to have a few thousand extra dollars to buy fireworks every 4th is a microcosm of that. From my house’s vantage point, the area that seems to always have the most fireworks being lit off is definitely White Center. A neighborhood that is not considered to be wealthy.

    It is all about where people put their priorities. Personally, I’ll just enjoy the neighbors wasting their money and save mine for a future vacation trip

  • flimflam July 5, 2014 (8:29 am)

    lol nothing says freedom like using said freedom to annoy most of your neighbors and being an obnoxious goon for a night or two. ‘MURICA!!!!

  • Snowflake July 5, 2014 (9:00 am)

    “Celebrating freedom” that’s hilarious.

  • Mama4 July 5, 2014 (9:10 am)

    My 6 year old saw the falling meteorite. My husband saw it too – I kept saying “no honey it’s not an alien. It’s a plane” but it was lateral movement not falling to the earth. I don’t think it was the skydivers because of that. We can’t are the 4th fireworks from our backyard (37 & Morgan). this was an across the sky “red with a tail”

  • Kittymama July 5, 2014 (9:45 am)

    I saw the meteor, and it was falling downward and was definitely not a skydiver, it was a huge fireball, too big of a fire to be attached to anyone.

  • WsBoB July 5, 2014 (10:00 am)

    Many many tires punctured 5900 block of 48th ave sw. So sad,,,

  • Elle Nell July 5, 2014 (10:15 am)

    So, reading all the complaining is so dishearting… Really, PTSD is now the scape goat… This country has set off fireworks since it was founded. If you do not like it, oh well..shut up in your homes and fester. Guess what? It is a national holiday that is celebrated what ever way you want. You wanna know why????? Because we are a FREE COUNTRY!!! Woo hoo!! And I, as a medical professional who has a smart, conscientious 12 yr old boy, have sent down “our” tradition of safe firework celebrations!!
    “Light a Roman candle, and hold it in your hand!!!”
    – Soundgarden

  • Bari July 5, 2014 (10:26 am)

    When a party spills out onto the street at 11:00 pm to douse the air with every imaginable explosive, terrorizing and angering drivers passing through, that’s no private party. The screaming, the blaring music went on until what? A stabbing at 2:00 am? The police report says it all: “Everyone was intoxicated”. I’ll add: for hours. It was unsafe and obnoxious behavior celebrating the liberty to be complete a–holes.

  • Halyn July 5, 2014 (10:36 am)

    If only it were one night a year. You know, if it was ONE night a year, I would suck up, I would give my pets some animal tranquilizers, hose down the roof and hope for the best. But it’s not. It’s the entire week leading up to the fourth, and if this year is like previous years, it will also be several days after. Given that the fourth falls on a Friday this year, I’m pretty certain that tonight will be obnoxious as well.

    I live across from Roxhill park, which is one of the major launch zones. It’s terrible here. Some of the fireworks that were set off last night were more like bombs, and they were still going off at midnight. It finally got quiet enough around 1:30 for us to feel like we could safely go to bed without being awakened by a blazing roof.

    I haven’t been outside yet this morning, but if previous years are any indication, Roxhill park is currently ankle deep in firework shells and wrappers. Not only did people spend several hours and hundreds of dollars disrupting my and my pets’ peace of mind, they also trashed my neighborhood and left it behind for others to deal with. If this is an example of how Americans pay tribute to those who’ve fought and died to preserve liberty, then yeah, feel free to call me un-american, because as proud and patriotic as I am, I don’t want to be associated in any way with such rude immaturity.

    By the way, those freedom fighters some of you claim to be honoring? They spent last night on a double dose of valium, hoping that one of those mortars you were setting off didn’t blow up loud enough and close enough to trigger a PTSD episode. I can’t claim to know how a combat vet feels, but I have PTSD as the result of a violent assault, and I know how terrifying it can be to encounter something that triggers a reaction you can’t control. I have been lucky enough, unlike any vets reading this thread, never to have been told to “suck it up and get over it, ’cause it’s only for one night.” Or worse yet, for someone who risked everything for their country ” If you don’t like it move to a country that doesn’t have the kind of freedom that we do.”

    Some people in this thread should be ashamed of themselves.

  • steven CC July 5, 2014 (10:55 am)

    The meteorite- I was by the broadcast booth at Gasworks last night and what you saw was indeed the paragliders with sparklers moving across the sky. Awesome effect!

    Driving home at midnight the biggest fireworks visible were in the White Center-Tukwila neighborhoods. I’m always surprised there aren’t more house fires!

    There are cradboard shards on my front porch and roof this morning-evidence of some high flying stuff that we just don’t need. Freedom? to bug your neighbors?! C’mon, people!

  • Eric July 5, 2014 (11:11 am)

    Yesterday during the day while my neighbors were lighting what sounded like M-80´s, every time one would blow up, I could just imagine them laughing like Beavis & Butthead

  • lagerratrobe July 5, 2014 (11:25 am)

    The illegal fireworks excess isn’t an exercise of freedom or liberty, it’s simple anarchy. It’s people choosing to disregard the law in order to have some fun. Unfortunately their fun comes at the expense of everyone around them who doesn’t find the activity amusing. If we want to see this behavior change, we should let the ones whose job it is to enforce the law know that we find it unacceptable that they continue to turn a blind eye towards this. Seattle Police – Fail.

  • Josh July 5, 2014 (11:26 am)

    Can we PLEASE move the bus/transit center!! Ever since it came to Barton, the park, neighborhood, and Westwood Village became a joke.

  • Foo July 5, 2014 (11:35 am)

    I’m at 48th and Findlay and the tires of both our family’s cars were slashed multiple times during the night, and so were the family across the street.

    I’m hoping someone got these people on camera.

  • Laura July 5, 2014 (11:51 am)

    Maybe I was busier Than I thought yesterday but I don’t recall the days leading up to the 4th noise regime. And actually today has been pretty quiet, who knows what tonight could bring. Love Sunrise Heights:)

  • smokeycretin9 July 5, 2014 (12:16 pm)

    now, everyone go pick up your spent fireworks trash!

    • WSB July 5, 2014 (12:20 pm)

      And if anyone has “before cleanup” photos, please consider sharing – editor@westseattleblog.com – we had ambitions at one point of going out to look in the early am, but wound up on duty until just before dawn and are just revving up now.

  • miws July 5, 2014 (12:18 pm)

    Good post, halyn.

    .

    Mike

  • Mike July 5, 2014 (12:34 pm)

    Elle Nell, no, it’s not a scape goat. It’s a real issue. As someone who claims to be in the medical profession, you should know this. Maybe you’re a desk jockey pushing papers in the medical profession and have never actually met anyone who suffers from shell shock, I don’t know. What your post does say is you will excuse illegal actions because you decided to live here and not where you could legally set off fireworks. Don’t like it, push to change the laws. I’ll keep pushing to have stronger enforcement. Maybe if you got that 1 year in jail and a $5,000 fine you’d think twice about your comment. That’s the actual penalty btw. http://www.seattle.gov/police/prevention/seasonal/july4.htm

    • WSB July 5, 2014 (12:40 pm)

      As a side note, I am trying to find out what year Seattle banned fireworks. Hard to navigate the city legislative files but I have learned they go back almost to the Denny Party. Here’s a rule about firearms and fireworks from … 1870.

  • AH Native July 5, 2014 (12:35 pm)

    Ummm Wow!!! Born n raised here in WS n never heard such petty talk about FIREWORKS!!!!!! So what if people blow off fireworks for a day or 2? Are you all so hyper-sensitive to things that go Boom!?! WT.? I have a dog that doesn’t like the noise… Guess what I do?.. Stay at home with him and have a nice glass of wine n watch a movie with the tv up and periodically go outside to enjoy the festivities. My yard, yes, sometimes does receive some byproducts of this celebration. “Lighten” up people!! Can someone around here have a spine/backbone other than me and the rest of the original WSeattlites? As for the Vets, why was this never an issue here when I was growing up around my Father n his friends who served in Vietnam n the Korean War? ( could it be because of a local news story?) Grow up people !!!

  • Diane July 5, 2014 (1:08 pm)

    fabulous document TR; thanks
    ~
    then it was repealed in 1907; wonder how to find out what happened after that

    • WSB July 5, 2014 (1:11 pm)

      I then found a resolution proposing a ban on selling fireworks, sometime in the 1910s, but promptly lost the link.

  • lightenup July 5, 2014 (1:14 pm)

    Everything I’ve read, vetrans are asking that you let them know if you’re a neighbor and shooting off fireworks, haven’t seen tgem calling for a ban. Just some respect. Citation on vetrans asking for a ban on fireworks on the 4th?
    Sorry dog owners, once you can follow leash laws and clean up after your animals, maybe we’ll be more sensistive to your complaints about noises. Running my kids out of libcoln park because you can’t be bothered to leash your menace doesn’t currate a lot of sympathy for your 4th of July noise plight.

  • Elle Nell July 5, 2014 (1:21 pm)

    Ya Mike, no I won’t change my tune… Seen plenty if PTSD and as a matter of fact experienced with family as well as pts. My point being, we find all sorts of so called reasons to complain and justify our “discomforts” and unhappiness with things we don’t agree with.. This is a free country and seriously jail time for fireworks…? This is a holiday. I celebrate safely and will continue to…. The reality is we can only control our own lives…. Enjoy!!

  • Mike July 5, 2014 (1:32 pm)

    AH Native, no, it’s been an ongoing issue and even I knew about it growing up with a father who served during the Vietnam conflict/war. WWII vets who are still alive suffer from PTSD too. Seriously, you didn’t hear about this growing up? It was referred to as shell shock back in the day. You don’t remember the Vietnam vets at the corners in Seattle in the 80s, who had only come back from Vietnam 10-15 years before? Sounds to me like you close your eyes and ignore life.

    • WSB July 5, 2014 (2:06 pm)

      In case Mike doesn’t return to answer, Google with the terms: veterans PTSD fireworks – and you’ll come up with a stack of citations/references/links. Here’s just one:
      .
      http://www.usatoday.com/story/nation/2014/07/02/ptsd-fireworks-4th-july-veterans/12024123/
      .
      Re: “calling for a ban” … just for accuracy’s sake, there IS a ban. Should fireworks fans seek re-legalization so there’s no pretense of the apparently unenforceable ban? It’s a city ban, not a state ban, so you’d want to talk to the City Council about it. Their contact info: http://seattle.gov/council
      .
      Anyway, this identical discussion happened here and myriad other places, both neighborhood news sites and regional news publications (here’s one), on/after 4th of July last year. I would summarize the issue being with the largest explosives. I have lived many places where fireworks were banned and yet sparklers were commonly used, little goofy things on the ground that emitted smoke, etc. But until the past few years in Seattle (where we’ve been for 23 years), I’ve never heard the hours-on-end of loud explosions. Do that many people really drive to the tribes’ fireworks stands and obtain massive amounts of explosives, or are the “safe and sane” ones sold legally in White Center and the rest of unincorporated King County getting bigger/louder, or is there some other source? Truly curious.
      .
      And the discussion has gone in general way too far past WSB civility rules. Those, we *can* enforce, so no more calling each other idiots, crybabies, whiners, whatever, regardless of which side you’re on. I apologize for previous laxness. Thanks – TR

  • Greystreet July 5, 2014 (2:02 pm)

    I will say that I have never seen anything like what I witnessed last night, it was 360 degree fireworks until the wee hours of the morning. I don’t particularly care for the loud noise but I deal with it, my poor animals on the other hand suffer, even if medicated because they can’t turn off their hypersensitive sense of hearing, every boom to them is 20X louder than we hear it. I don’t mind others enjoying themselves but there is a point of excess, and today it is clearly visible. There are spent firework guts ALL OVER the neighborhood, I’m glad I don’t have a swimming pool to skim today. I think next year we are going to travel away with the animals, it’s tough to enjoy a gathering if the pooch is forcing himself on top of you (he’s 85lbs) to take cover. Nonetheless, be safe the rest of the weekend!

  • Spenceriscalm July 5, 2014 (2:04 pm)

    Take a couple hours once a year to enjoy some wonderment let go of your stress, worry negative thought process just for a couple hours. It happens every year on the 4th. If you don’t like it plan ahead and go away for a couple hours.
    You spent your energy complaining we spent ours smiling.

  • AH Native July 5, 2014 (2:22 pm)

    “Mr” Mike, Do Not tell me I ignore life. Yes I do remember all the terms that I heard from my Fathers friends. I also remember that not ONE of them ever had a problem with fireworks! As a matter of fact, they all traded off year to year who was putting on the 4th display and who had the best show. So, speak for yourself… Not ME!! Also, I agree with you about the Vets in the corners… However you may wanna take that up with the VA… Not me

  • Eric July 5, 2014 (3:08 pm)

    So AH native,

    Are you implying that since your father and his friends never seemed to have an issue, that there was never an issue before? I’m not saying there was or wasn’t, but between your two posts you do seem to be implying this.

  • Community Member July 5, 2014 (3:10 pm)

    Fireworks were banned in Seattle in 1992, in an “emergency” response to an unusual fire danger brought on by severe drought conditions.
    .
    In my experience, fireworks use in Seattle in the 1980’s was far more extreme and widespread than today. I remember it used to be hard to find a safe place to sit in a park to watch fireworks, because no matter how crowded the park, people would be setting off fireworks right in the crowd.
    .

  • Simpson Strongeville July 5, 2014 (3:17 pm)

    NPR did a great show on Vets and PTSD. The consensus was that the fireworks leading up to the 4th (which were unexpected and sporadic) were the real triggers, not the 4th (when they are expected) – all according to a couple of studies.

  • Mike July 5, 2014 (3:37 pm)

    AH Native, you must have grown up far different vets than I did. Even my own uncle has issues with fireworks, a few tours in Vietnam makes him a bit twitchy when folks decide to blow crap up. Just because the specific people you know liked setting fireworks off does not mean it’s a non issue. I’m not speaking for you, I’m telling you. It’s a real issue.

  • gia July 5, 2014 (3:40 pm)

    AH Native, your father and his friends were fortunate that they did not come home with lingering effects of war. Fireworks resemble sounds of combat, as do the smoke, noise, and crowds of people. There are vets returning home every day, and some may not even be aware of a PTSD diagnosis. Unitl the sounds/sights take them back. That is what some would call a trigger. Trigger events can transport anyone (vet or civilian) back to the traumatic event. I love fireworks, but i can have compassion for the people that are unable to enjoy them, even if for just one day.

  • AH Native July 5, 2014 (3:56 pm)

    So eric,

    Are you passive aggressive by nature? Getting back to my point… I have never, in my 45 years of living in WS, have I heard such a dust up about fireworks. N yes I do know a lot of prominent local families around here that have participated in such activities. I’m sure you’ve frequnted their stores!!

  • Eric July 5, 2014 (4:21 pm)

    LOL, passive aggressive? Getting a little liberal with its definition I think. I simply asked you a very direct question as from my point of view it seemed to me from your two posts that you were implying that since your father and friends didn’t experience any issues, that there were no issues.

    And I don’t even understand your point that you’re trying to make about frequenting people’s stores

  • West Seattle Hipster July 5, 2014 (4:38 pm)

    I don’t have an issue with folks celebrating the Fourth with illegal fireworks. I do have issues that most folks detonating these explosives are heavily intoxicated, and are recklessly exploding these devices over and near homes.

    .

    I am a proud patriotic American and lifelong Democrat, but I haven’t bought fireworks for over 20 years now. To me it is just burning money.

  • DTK July 5, 2014 (5:09 pm)

    This thread’s really a blast. (see what I did there?)

  • Lightenup July 5, 2014 (5:24 pm)

    Been here 24 years and this is nothing new, typical 4th imo, just more mortars. People always worry about their dogs and they’re always fine. Honestly, nobody cares that the fireworks scared your dog anyway. As for the PTSD, I’d defer to the vets and what they are asking for. Yes, lots of people go to Boom City, but the increase in big booms you’re hearing is really from the mortar shells being way more accessible at local stands. Those are the ones that shoot up then explode, like mini ‘real’ fireworks. For some reason you can buy those at a local stand since maybe 3-4 years back, where previously you had to go to the res (Boom City for the uninitiated) to get them. I’ll trade you the 2-3 days of your dogs freaked at fireworks for the 365 days of my kids not falling asleep because neighbors dogs on 3 sides never stop barking.

  • Chris July 5, 2014 (5:32 pm)

    People are setting off illegal fireworks – the law should be enforced.

    People are letting their dogs run free in Lincoln Park – the law should be enforced.

    However, these issues have nothing to do with each other and the off-leash dog comment is just a red herring. I guess I took the bait…

    It strikes me that if it were just some sober folks setting off a few fireworks it wouldn’t be an issue. However, what has happened is that we’ve created a culture through the lax enforcement of the fireworks laws that has enabled the kind of behavior we saw last night. Drunken fireworks, tire slashing, people shooting fireworks directly at cars, assaults, etc. This can all be tied to the loose enforcement of the fireworks ban. Unfortunately, it’s gotten out of control. And it needs to be reined in before tragedy strikes.

  • sc July 5, 2014 (6:08 pm)

    Another way of celebrating our nations birthday is to fly the flag. Wonder how many did that?

  • Julia July 5, 2014 (6:44 pm)

    Just want to thank the generous folks in Fauntleroy Cove and Lincoln Park for the spectacular fireworks show. Best ever! (When I decided to call it a night and go to bed, I used earplugs — worked great!)

  • Carraig na Splinkeen July 5, 2014 (8:39 pm)

    Hey there! For all you who loved last night’s “festivities” there are two great opportunities to show how patriotic and freedom-loving you are: donating to the fund for the folks whose tires were slashed and helping clean up Alki Beach! You know who you are!

    “Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility. For the person who is unwilling to grow up, the person who does not want to carry his own weight, this is a frightening prospect.” Eleanor Roosevelt

  • Champ July 6, 2014 (12:43 am)

    Video of the “meteor” / “sky divers w/sparklers”

    I don’t know what it was, but saw this.
    And found this on YouTube.

    http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=M5Nuh8MYoZg

  • AH Native July 6, 2014 (8:21 am)

    Eric, Ur a fool. I never posted PTSD was not a real issue. Also wanna say thanks to Julia and Lightenup for sane posts.

  • Eric July 6, 2014 (8:54 am)

    LOL wow a fool now. You seem angry. Was my question really unreasonable?

    AH Native wrote: As for the Vets, why was this never an issue here when I was growing up around my Father n his friends who served in Vietnam n the Korean War? ( could it be because of a local news story?) Grow up people !!!

    I replied with: So AH native,
    Are you implying that since your father and his friends never seemed to have an issue, that there was never an issue before? I’m not saying there was or wasn’t, but between your two posts you do seem to be implying this.

    Eric: I really don’t see anything unreasonable about what I asked. Of course, I’m a fool, so who knows LOL

  • Rick July 6, 2014 (11:12 am)

    The pissing matches of the anonymous self righteous is rather amusing. I’ll supply the venue and sell tickets if you promise to show up with your obvious superior intellect and knowledge of the truth. Bazinga!, just sold out.

  • Ced July 6, 2014 (11:19 am)

    Typical West seattle, self-entitled, as usual. Always complaining about something fun! Lighten up a little bit, its just freakin fireworks! Yes, I have pets, and they don’t like the noise. So I play music for them to drown out the noise. Everyone wins.

  • Community Member July 6, 2014 (12:21 pm)

    Carraig na Splinkeen, are you saying that someone who stayed at home and enjoyed their neighbors’ illegal fireworks display bears a greater or different moral responsibility than someone who stayed at home and hated their neighbors’ illegal fireworks display?
    .
    I’m not getting that logic at all.

  • George July 6, 2014 (12:28 pm)

    I think the issue is many in the community are bothered by the loud fireworks we saw the other night for a variety of reasons. It does sound like a war zone when you step outside on the 4th. Fireworks aren’t like they used to be when it meant sparklers and fountains in your own backyard. We have become a densely populated community but courtesy, compassion and consideration are really lacking. In this great big world of ours there are lots of ways to have a good time that don’t involve blowing things up and causing discomfort or animosity to others in the community.

  • DRS July 7, 2014 (4:55 am)

    I think what should happen, if for no other reason than safety sake, those of us who do enjoy fireworks and do enjoy lighting them off should pool our resources to set up an area that’s far enough away from everything to not be a fire hazard but close enough to where they are still visible.

  • LS July 7, 2014 (3:30 pm)

    Some creep exploded my mailbox (Highland Park) — metal flattened; wood splintered. Young (probably mid-20’s) with light fairly short hair. I’m not amused, and need to go to the PO to report this federal crime. Driving white pickup, with very loud engine and motor. Police said same vehicle seen at site of exploded port-a-potty elsewhere. If you see this pickup, please report license # to the police. There is an open case.

  • pupsarebest July 8, 2014 (10:06 pm)

    July 8th, 10PM, and some “patriot” is firing off large-concussion fireworks from what sounds like the Genesee Hill/Admiral neighborhood, clearly audible here on Gatewood Hill.
    ‘murica

    • WSB July 8, 2014 (10:09 pm)

      Probably the same ones heard from here. I was wondering if there was some kind of official show on Vashon, or in Kitsap. White Center will have the Jubilee Days show at Steve Cox Park one week from tomorrow.

Sorry, comment time is over.