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1. service dog academy
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   Last night the neighbors yet again shot off their illegal fireworks display for a 4th year in a row. After repeatedly asking said ILLEGAL fireworks people to at least set them off over the golf course rather than over our houses I got verbally accosted and harassed. Last year it resulted in them blowing up our mailbox - which I might add is a FEDERAL OFFENSE. I was excited to see the police car FINALLY come by when I waved them down only to hear that they had "talked" to them. AND THEN AS WE WERE STANDING THERE THEY SET THEM OFF AGAIN AND THE POLICE OFFICERS DID NOTHING. I am mad as a hornet right now. With my father being a retired officer of the law I never thought I would find myself so mad at a police officer as I am right now. And now all I have to look forward to is another couple of nights sedating my fireworks sensitive dogs and waiting for my mailbox to explode again.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

2. anonyme
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   I am with 100% with you. It's outrageous; fireworks are illegal for a REASON. In my area we have people who launch massive displays every year, causing fires, litter and damage. As you said, police will only "talk" to them. The City could make up its budget deficit in one night if an extra patrol would actually hand out fines to these offenders. Instead, they are emboldened to break the law on a bigger scale each year. I'm guessing a $1,000 fine might be a pretty good deterrent. I used to enjoy the 4th; it has now become the most dreaded day/week/month of the year for me - and especially my poor dog.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

3. Duckitude
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   Yep. Yep. and, Yep. Lowman Beach Park gets trashed every year for the week before the 4th and then like crazy on the 4th. As much as I wish to support my local police, they are useless... I mean, really useless. So, this year, the trashing was the worst so far. Gang tags all over the neighborhood, one huge group of 20 plus people setting off huge fireworks for over 2 hours... police NEVER even showed up and I know for sure they got several calls from me and other neighbors.

   Really ridiculous. If you want to trash your own yard, feel free. But trashing a public park... come on! Grow up!

   Posted 1 year ago #         

4. BBGuest
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   I am fed up! Is there a way to hold landlords responsible for their tenants? My next door neighbor caused me and my dogs to huddle in the basement!

   Posted 1 year ago #         

5. sam-c
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   I am with you. I was up with an awake and scared toddler til 1 am. the illegal fireworks were the sort that you see on tv, many different colors, big ball-type, lighting up our entire house and we were 5-6 houses away. I was secretly (not anymore I guess) that one would blow off their fingers so a trip to the hospital would cut their display short. luckily the dog wasn't as phased by it this year.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

6. transplantella
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   meh

   Posted 1 year ago #         

7. pam
   Member Profile

   I loved the sense of community and celebration of our country's birthday. I feel with the economy being what it is people were reminiscent about their childhoods when they were able to light up the skies and share the joy. Our block was surrounded by families celebrating with fireworks - and laughter.

   It's one or two nights of noise.... I guess I don't understand the 'terror' of it all, it happens every year so why not relax - or go to Canada for the weekend.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

8. service dog academy
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   the terror part comes when within the 5 minutes that i was over there asking them to move the display so that it launches overtop of the golf course rather than our houses i almost saw a car run over an about to explode firework and another graze the roof of the apartment complex. its one thing when its the stuff that goes 10 feet high but when we are talking 3 times the height of the telephone poles thats some dangerous stuff to be landing on houses or driving over. they didnt even block off the street or prevent cars from driving over the lit fireworks. im fine with drugging my dogs but when it comes to damaging property and possibly hurting people its very hard to sit by and watch and "enjoy"

   Posted 1 year ago #         

9. sam-c
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   whatever-just wish it would end at midnight or so, not 2am. whether or not I have a 2 yr old crying for 3 hours, I do like to go to bed sometime.
   incidentally, one of the obnoxious households on the street had a 911 medic call this afternoon; the fire truck and ambulance were there for a while. not sure what happened but they were shooting off fireworks again today.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

10. JanS
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    not understanding the "terror of it all". sitting here reading about the woman in Gig Harbor who is now homeless because her neighbors, while she was away on Sunday evening, set off fireworks in front of her house...and burned it down. Or reading about the 11 yo Bothell boy who, this morning, walked on the beach where people had set their fireworks off last night. He found what appeared to be a dud..and a lighter lying nearby. He lit it...short fuse...not a dud...will probably lose his hand.

    Oh, but it's a celebration, only one or two days a year..get over it...our country's birthday. And a little boy will remember it always.He got to ride in a helicopter to Harborview.

    That's the terror for a lot of people.

    We're lucky that we had a cool, wet day this year. Less fire damage for sure. But, geez, if you have to set them off, clean up after yourself, and burn no one's house down but your own. After all, it's all in fun.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

11. HMC Rich
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    It seems to me a cash strapped city would fine people as fast as they could, or maybe the Police Department doesn't want to pay overtime to cover all of the calls.

    It also seems a litter charge could be brought on people.

    There has to be a reason why there is only some enforcement. I think I will ask them.

    If they need proof, I just might video the displays.

    There are a lot of law abiding citizens but why do they have to put on the STUPID hat on Independence Day?

    Jan's post rings true. What happens when your house burns down? What happens when your kid loses their sight?

    This holiday is not about fireworks. It is about something much more important. Read the Declaration of Independence and then tell me why fireworks are so important?

    Posted 1 year ago #         

12. Dunno
    Member Profile

    Maybe a few sites could be firework zones. It looked like Highland Park was a large meeting place and when interviewed on Q 13, the man with sweeping up the mess didn't seem to mind. Much better there than flames hitting your home or apartment. There should be no fireworks near any structures and I agree with a $1,000 fine or more for violations.
    As long as fireworks are legal in some spots and sold on the reservations this will be a yearly problem.
    Thank you Rain!!!

    Posted 1 year ago #         

13. JoB
    Member Profile

    We didn't go to canada..

    we took the pups about as close as we could get without crossing the border..

    and prayed our home would still be standing when we got home.

    we got lucky.. it was.

    but they aren't done yet.
    at least not here.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

14. westseattledood
    Member Profile

    

    Dunno -

    First of all, I did not see the Ch. 13 coverage of the HP mess, however, I did talk to a number of other residents of HP.

    Trust me. Most were pissed. And disgusted by the lack of respect. Good neighbors willing to clean-up other people's trash does NOT infer acceptance.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

15. BBGuest
    Member Profile

    

    If somebody has an illegal substance (regardless of where it was purchased) isn't it confiscated by the police?

    If the police are going to be there anyway, take the evidence... give the people a warning... then if there is a call back, issue a ticket.

    Is this an oversimplification? Or, have the people pay for a permit if it is going to happen anyway. In the old days, you watched the fireworks put on by the city or county or an organized group with precautions near by.

    I don't get it.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

16. anonyme
    Member Profile

    A few years ago, that's what police used to do. It was wholly insufficient, but better than what we have now in terms of enforcement - nothing. I don't believe that people who blatantly break the existing laws would get a permit either, even if that were an option. Nor do I think it would be fair to allow one individual, or several, to threaten an entire neighborhood merely because they got a permit to do so.

    I also don't understand the rationale that anyone who isn't down with having to drug their pets senseless for several days(if not weeks)or go without sleep for days on end should be banished to Canada. Respect for others, as well as respect for law, is a far better indication of an understanding of the Declaration of Independence than blowing stuff up.

    As other posters have pointed out, the City has once again missed out on a great opportunity to fill the budget gap by failing to hand out the $1,000 tickets these yeehaws deserve. It's ironic, but if the cops actually did their job on this one, we might be able to afford to pay them - or even hire more of them.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

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