READER REPORTS: Parks left trashed post-holiday

a July 5, 2017 (9:45 am)

There are bigger problems elsewhere so this should be tolerated without complaints.

…is what someone will no doubt be along to say shortly.

WSB July 5, 2017 (12:11 pm)

Well, it took 31 comments and 2 1/2 hours, this time.

misoginger July 5, 2017 (9:57 am)

Wow, this explains why the neighborhood sounded like a war zone last night. Really, people? This is wrong on so many levels.

Bill July 5, 2017 (9:59 am)

Wow… there really is nothing to say. If only the Police would come by and enforce the law once in a while.

Patrick Gent July 5, 2017 (10:46 am)

Seriously? I’d say they were probably spread a bit this last night.
- Bill July 5, 2017 (2:39 pm)
  
  you know… I agree that last night they were probably spread thin. However they don’t enforce parking, ferry lines, noice ordinances, cruising, etc… not around Fauntleroy anyway. “Spread thin” is an excuse that is wearing thin.

Sara B July 5, 2017 (10:01 am)

We live on California Ave above Solstice Park and the illegal fireworks went on until about 3 am. It was awful. Usually we go away for the 4th, and knowing what I know now, we will make sure not to be in Seattle next year. Is it like this here every year?

Katie July 5, 2017 (10:12 am)

Unfortunately yes it is pretty typical. Also, if it’s like last year, you can expect fireworks tonight as well. Though not as bad.
Raye Westad July 5, 2017 (10:37 am)

I won’t leave my house on the 4th because I fear that sparks from someone setting off fireworks in the neighborhood could land in my yard and set my house on fire. This was the worst year I can remember for the amount of noise. It was non-stop, excessively loud roaring explosions. It’s out of control.
- Patrick Gent July 5, 2017 (10:48 am)
  
  YES!!!! Definitely the worst I can remember too!
  Was there some sort of huge sale on fireworks at the reservations this year?
  - WSB July 5, 2017 (10:58 am)
    
    The fireworks photos we see every year are more the kind of fireworks you don’t have to drive that far to find, since unincorporated King County still allows them, and stands are as close as the south side of Roxbury.
J242 July 5, 2017 (4:49 pm)

It’s not just the 4th either. New Year’s Eve and any Seahawks game makes anywhere “not downtown” sound like a warzone. It’s absurd and I wish SPD would start cracking down hard on it. Is it really too much to ask for people to take their fireworks to places they are actually legal to set off and clean up after themselves? Sheesh.
- Me July 5, 2017 (9:32 pm)
  
  Apparently, you have never been in a war zone. This is not what one looks like.

JoB July 5, 2017 (10:07 am)

Fireworks are illegal..
so is leaving your mess behind
yet… ;-(

KBear July 5, 2017 (10:16 am)

Actually, it is getting worse every year, thanks to utter lack of response from Seattle Police.

Brenda July 5, 2017 (10:20 am)

SPD is severely understaffed.

You want more more police presence- let your city council know.
- WSB July 5, 2017 (10:31 am)
  
  To this point. “Lack of response” by police is not true either.
  
  See our Twitter list of the West Seattle beats. I just doublechecked with SPD media to be sure I wasn’t misinterpreting. “Mischief/nuisance” is the category under which fireworks responses go. Some might be “noise disturbance” as well. Both of those are numerous (note that the timestamp is usually lagged by a couple hours):
  
  https://twitter.com/westseattleblog/lists/spd-guardian-one-ws
  
  This is the same list that we show on the Crime Watch page – https://westseattleblog.com/crime-watch
  
  The Southwest Precinct also has to deal with thousands of people gathered to watch the fireworks along Alki, Duwamish Head, etc. on the West Seattle shore. Last night the Mobile Precinct was based at Don Armeni. We drove along Alki Ave. in the evening and several other SPD vehicles were stationed in the heart of the beach, as well as the bus that transports the Bicycle Patrol (which was also at Lincoln Park and Hamilton Viewpoint, probably elsewhere but that’s just where we saw the bus and/or bicycle officers, earlier in the day).
  
  At the very least, if people decide to shoot off illegal fireworks, they can at least have the decency to clean up after themselves.
  - Also John July 5, 2017 (10:58 am)
    
    @WSB… That’s an impressive list. The question is ‘Did the Police respond to any of them?’
    - WSB July 5, 2017 (11:08 am)
      
      Those are incident reports – that’s why they have numbers – not just a call log. You can also see them mapped here (the numbers on dots mean multiple calls from the same general location, depending on how far out you pull the map with the plus/minus controls)
      
      http://web6.seattle.gov/mnm/incidentresponse.aspx
- Monica July 5, 2017 (11:40 am)
  
  Our city council is too busy finding safe places for drug addicts and raising our taxes on a daily basis. Enlarging our police force is certainly NOT a priority for certain socialist who shows no respect for our police as do the want-to-be mayors. If your a law abiding citizen in this city expect nothing from your city council except a smaller bank account.
  - Katie July 6, 2017 (7:03 am)
    
    Safe places for addicts should be a huge priority. I don’t want addicts sitting behind every bush and tree.
    - Monica July 7, 2017 (12:39 pm)
      
      They will still be behind EVERY bush. That is not going to end. It will only make it easier for them to acquire the drugs. The drug dealers literally wait there to sell their stuff. The addicts will simply shoot up there and leave to go hide behind your so called bushes to mug or kill some innocent person in order to buy more drugs. Heroine is illegal. Arrest them. Throw them into detox and try to help them NOT ENABLE THEM.

Jay July 5, 2017 (10:19 am)

I’m not surprised one bit. You only have to see how many people drive 10-15mph OVER the posted speed limit everywhere in West Seattle. I’ve seen moms in minivans or SUVs with their kids in the car doing 35mph on my side street (posted 20mph with speed bumps) … & no sidewalks. But don’t you dare drive that fast on HER street!!!

Two days ago I watched a guy & girl walk down Fairmount heading to the water & he stopped & carefully placed his glass bottle of whatever in to the bushes. Yeah I saw you, I was watching from my front yard. You are part of the problem.

Not sure why anyone would be surprised to see our parks trashed after a holiday weekend. These are your neighbors & maybe even your friends … & they don’t give a hoot about anything but themselves. Do you drive 25, 30, 35mph in a 20mph zone? See, you’re part of the problem around here too.

Matt July 5, 2017 (10:38 am)

Well said Jay.

Eric July 5, 2017 (10:30 am)

I live right next to solstice park and yes the fireworks were going on until about 2am. There were 4 police cruisers on fauntleroy near Lincoln park but they didn’t seem concerned.

The act of lighting fireworks doesn’t bother me. However, leaving the park in such a sorry state does. This was obviously a bunch of high school kids partying. Any neighbor can attest to this since each Friday and Saturday night you are likely to hear kids yelling from the top of the hill until the wee hours of the morning. Does it sometimes wake me up? Yes. Do I get angry? Definitely. But I just try and think of my self at that age and the things we used to do. I grew up in west seattle and that hill is just one of the haunts.

As far as fireworks go, what happened to families getting together to light off a whole arsenal in the streets? As a child I remember doing it every year and so would our neighbors. Now it’s illegal and we are so stuck up about it. I can take a night of restleness for our children to grow up with similar memories then I had. That said, leaving the park like that is a disgrace. Unfortunately, it may be because the police did brake it up. What do kids do when police show up? They run. Leaving behind everything. At least if it was like the old days parents would be supervising and making sure to clean up at the end.

I’m headed up the hill now to see if anything needs to be picked up

Kim July 5, 2017 (10:17 pm)

I also live very near SolticePark and the fireworks continued until 3:12 AM. I know there were several calls to the Seattle Police asking them to clear the park.

Here’s the thing this is not a little problem and minus the fireworks the partying is a regular occurrence. The police know about it and do nothing. Someday some kid or some innocent bystander is going to get killed by one of these under the influence teens. Maybe then the police will start enforcing the law.
alki_2008 July 7, 2017 (2:54 am)

@eric: When I was a kid, we did fireworks. Small ones like sparklers, ground spinners, grow worms, etc. They were fireworks that didn’t shoot up into the air and land on the roofs of our neighbors’ homes, which can then smolder and cause their house to catch on fire. A densely packed neighborhood is not the appropriate place to shoot airborne fireworks. If the ‘kids’ in your neighborhood caused you house to catch fire, then that certainly would be memorable.

Lindsey July 5, 2017 (10:38 am)

The messes left behind by rude jerks are just as absurd and disrespectful as those people who choose to blow off their fireworks until 2 am. Selfish and rude.

One other note, we were out walking our dog around 8:30 pm last night, going past Schmitz Park Elementary and saw a bunch of teenagers on the roof tagging it with graffiti. We called 911 who said SPD were in the area doing patrols related to all sorts of things for the 4th and were on their way. So for those who say they wish there was police enforcement of the firework ban, they are out there enforcing when & what they can, but they are spread too thin. They need the public’s help enforcing this and welcome the reports of illegal use of fireworks, with location information and description of individuals, just like any other crime.

James July 5, 2017 (1:35 pm)

Three times now the new Murray CSO facility has been tagged with graffiti. The last time the vandal painted their tag in two different places with red paint. Why can’t we have nice things?

John July 5, 2017 (10:44 am)

Illegal fireworks and littering, have to be no-brainer tickets for the cops. Just make the rounds of obvious spots starting at dark. How come no enforcement of fireworks laws?

Lori V. July 5, 2017 (10:45 am)

We live right next to Solstice and it was unbearable. I finally called 911 at 12:45 am, and since there was no fire they sent my call to non-emergency. After being on hold for too long I gave up. This morning we walked up before 9am and saw the trash in a neat pile and actually thought they cleaned it up – I should have known better. NEXT YEAR (if we still live here) I want to invite all our neighbors up to Solstice for the evening, If we have lots of lights and people and our own little gathering, perhaps it will keep the insane fireworks away – at least from Solstice. This was worse than anything in the 9 years we’ve been here, and I swear I’m suffering from a mild form of PTSD today because of it.

Unfortunately, Solstice Park seems to be a very popular party place, and I know the fireworks will most likely continue for days, as well as parties all summer.

Patrick Gent July 5, 2017 (10:45 am)

I live in Highland Park, West Seattle. I’ve lived here 3 years and in Seattle proper for 21. This year has got to have been the noisiest 4th I can ever remember for neighborhood ‘illegal’ fireworks.
I have no real problem with it as it’s only once a year but, for crying out loud, does it have to go on until 1 or 2 a.m. ?
I have no doubt the parks are as messy as the pictures indicate and that is a shame.
Not here to complain, just saying…

JoB July 5, 2017 (10:46 am)

when did this become ok?

Erithan July 5, 2017 (10:46 am)

Sad, I figured the police may be busy, didn’t see anyone in Alaska junction area, drag racing(with shouts and building shaking bass) started around 11-11:30 or so nearby, went on till early am.

Side note- I still don’t get why “fireworks” that are literal bombs are allowed to be sold still….always worry about pets and veterans like my dad.

Edit: to clarify, I know the police are spread to thin, and meant the mess and disrespect is sad.

Oakley34 July 5, 2017 (10:50 am)

The new ‘American Exceptionalism’ : “The laws apply to everyone Except me!”

Kevin July 5, 2017 (11:23 am)

I feel for the neighbors who live on 44th above Solstice. I have noticed on my morning walks that 44th has become the preferred spot for people from out of the neighborhood to go, park, smoke marijuana, litter (I have even seen used needles). Has anyone ever talked to the police about shutting down this party spot?

newnative July 5, 2017 (11:45 am)

I was pretty impressed that it was much quieter than past years in my neighborhood. I didn’t hear anything past midnight and I didn’t see the piles of fireworks trash in the alley or nearby Bartell’s parking lot either. There is a family that blows a lot of fireworks in the alley during the big show (which seems kinda dumb when they could be watching a better show).

KM July 5, 2017 (12:04 pm)

My immediate neighborhood has also gotten quieter, but still requires a full litter pickup the following day after families light off big fireworks in the street, also during prime firework time. It is also not the people who are lighting them off picking up the mess.

Sara July 5, 2017 (11:48 am)

Most the people who leave their trash don’t live in the area. I even see people who seem to enjoy “sticking it to” the people they think are privileged. A month ago an unfamiliar car parked in front of my neighbors, the people smoked, then dumped their trash–including a dirty diaper, and drove off. Sadly I didn’t get the license. Tragic to think a small person is being raised by such selfish tw@ts.

Raising fines for illegal fireworks and posting signs would help deter the problems. Same with littering.

bill July 5, 2017 (2:00 pm)

sadly raising fines only helps if you send the police around. If they aren’t there to write the ticket, no increase in fine is going to help.

Searun July 5, 2017 (12:00 pm)

Seriously people. It’s the 4th of July. it will be loud. There will be garbage left behind. Get lives and worry about something else!

SARA B July 5, 2017 (12:19 pm)

Were you also kept up all night? Were your animals terrified and inconsolable? Did you have to go to work today exhausted and frustrated? Did you come down and pick up the trash left behind? Expecting civility and consideration is pretty reasonable in my book. We’re not always going to get it, but we can and should hold people accountable when they violate the basic rules of society, even on the 4th of July.
- Kadoo July 5, 2017 (4:07 pm)
  
  Amen.
- Erithan July 5, 2017 (5:51 pm)
  
  Well said, besides pets, veterans to.
Lori V. July 5, 2017 (12:50 pm)

Searun: It’s the 4th – I expect fireworks. I expect trash. But why is it OK that people can drink in a public park, litter and make really loud noise until after 2 am? Thanks Sara B for your response – I’m also grateful for those who cleaned up the mess. Let’s make Solstice OUR park next year!
bill July 5, 2017 (1:50 pm)

Or… obey the law. Let licensed professionals set off explosives well away form major transportation infrastructure, in a safe and controlled manner.
datamuse July 5, 2017 (4:30 pm)

Tell you what, you can help clean up and give folks one less thing to complain about. It’s way more constructive than griping at people distressed by something you think is unimportant.

Franci July 5, 2017 (12:00 pm)

I’ve lived near Solstice Park since 2003 and this was definitely the worst year ever! My cat is about 4 years old and in years past has not been fazed by fireworks at all. This year he went into hiding and didn’t come out till about 4:00 am – poor thing was so traumatized by all the boom’s going off ALL night long..

Mark July 5, 2017 (12:10 pm)

The City does not enforce the littering law, I wish they did and aggressively. The litter under the Spokane Street viaduct is obscene.

SARA B July 5, 2017 (12:12 pm)

Thank you to everyone who cleaned up after the jerks who invaded Solstice Park. You make me so grateful to be a part of this community. I like the idea of claiming it for a neighborhood party next year. I wonder if you can reserve it, like you can with the shelters down at the beach?

Vivian July 6, 2017 (8:12 pm)

Sara B – I live adjacent to Solstice Park and agree with my neighbor Lori’s plan to “claim” the park next year for a neighborhood party as it appears the police will be of no help at all. Litter we could clean up, but that insane loud noise of the mortars until 3 a.m. was shattering to us & pets. A few Safe&Sane fireworks are expected at 10 pm but not what we got this year. Our party needs to start before 6 p.m., when they started throwing roman candles in every direction.

West Seattle Hipster July 5, 2017 (12:13 pm)

Lighting aerial explosives over residential areas is stupid.

Bill July 5, 2017 (12:20 pm)

The Fauntleroy Cove fireworks were insane. I don’t understand why people are allowed to set off explosives literally next door to major transportation infrastructure. If Seattle PD is spread so thin, perhaps a call to the Coast Guard, or TSA would serve.

Fauntleroy Cove July 5, 2017 (12:39 pm)

This year’s July 4 was one of the worst. We live near the south parking lot of Lincoln Park. There were people having a “war” , shooting fireworks at each other across Fauntleroy Way. The fireworks would shoot between cars traveling on Fauntleroy, or land next to parked cars , or nearly miss pedestrians. I called 911 and was asked if anything was on fire. I could not say that it was – but it was definitely an unsafe situation. I got transferred to the non-emergency queue and gave up after a long hold. The action ended soon after midnight; either they ran out of ammo (finally), or the Bicycle Patrol rolled down the hill and stopped the game (thank you).

AH July 6, 2017 (7:29 am)

That’s funny, the news said the police were telling people to call the emergency line if people were misusing fireworks like that. Yet, when you actually call, they do nothing and deem it a “non emergency”???
- WSB July 6, 2017 (11:12 am)
  
  If any “news” organization told people to call 911, they were spreading misinformation. Or you may have misheard them saying “call the NON-emergency line,” which has been the message for years, as reiterated in this SPD post: http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/2017/06/30/come-enjoy-the-4th-at-lake-union-just-leave-the-fireworks-at-home-2/

David Hoover July 5, 2017 (1:00 pm)

Like I said before and it didn’t get published maybe the firefighters could go give tickets to those lighting off illegal fireworks once again there isn’t fires going on 247 or any other fire department related emergencies let’s be real they could do this one solid for us we do pay their salaries

J242 July 5, 2017 (5:01 pm)

I REALLY like this idea! Illegal bonfires, violation of burn bans during dry months and fireworks, all should be within SPD, SFD, State Troopers and any other law enforcement agency to ticket/fine with equal legal consequences. Win win idea and I bet a lot of our Fire Fighters would love to be able to slap some of these jerks with a legally binding fine for their reckless behavior.

AA July 5, 2017 (1:21 pm)

I was like, “cool!” at the fireworks until 11pm when I turned into a cranky old lady and started yelling inside my head that decent people had to work tomorrow you d#amn whippersnappers.

fiz July 5, 2017 (1:27 pm)

Went to Sound Credit Union in the Junction this morning. Their systems, including their phones, are down because of fireworks damage to fiber optics cables.

It’s illegal, it’s traumatizing to many, and it’s serious.

DirkDigs July 5, 2017 (1:43 pm)

Well if our police force isn’t going to enforce the laws and start cracking down on these people who don’t even live around here that come to our beautiful community and exploit them trash it for their own selfish pleasure, then I’m all for not letting people come here. What’s the other option? Why do my taxes keep going up and yet none of the problems we identify year in and year out get addressed?

Why should hoodlums from Kent or Auburn or Federal Wat be allowed to come into my community, trash the everliving hell out of it, then leave and not be on the hook for anything?

Just a pathetic state right now. Police, do your jobs.

WSB July 5, 2017 (3:03 pm)

For some crazy reason people think it’s always someone from somewhere else. Sorry to say, chances are highly likely that fit’s not. Solstice Park, for example – even most locals don’t know it exists, and it’s not exactly overrun with parking spaces. Same thing with the playfield at Highland Park, etc. Police make this point when they discuss enforcement patrols at community meetings – when the tally’s in of who was ticketed, most are nearby residents. – TR

ImNotSpartacus July 5, 2017 (1:47 pm)

I’m tired of it and I wrote a letter to Lisa Herbold; I encourage others to do the same. I get that it’s fun to do fireworks on the Fourth, but having to live with the constant noise as late as 3 am for days before and after is really too much. People need to grow up and have some consideration for others.

AmandaK July 5, 2017 (1:59 pm)

Why don’t we just make buying fireworks illegal? Put pressure on King County to ban firework sales… I’d sign that petition.

Helpermonkey July 5, 2017 (2:13 pm)

whoever did this – you are literally garbage people. you know who you are. your neighbors know who you are. you look in the mirror and know deep down you’re a piece of human trash. one can only hope you have the ability to feel shame when you see this plastered all over Seattle. I hope the only reason you didn’t clean up after yourself is because you blew your stupid fingers off.

Alki Resident July 5, 2017 (4:12 pm)

Quite over the top. To wish such pain and agony on someone is bs. But at least you’re consistent with your many posts of hate over the months.
- HelperMonkey July 6, 2017 (9:01 am)
  
  and yet you always seem to come and single out my comments, Alki Resident. I can’t decide to be flattered or creeped out, so I am going with creeped out. You seem to have an issue with me, and my comments (do we know each other? know someone in common? I’d guess who) – so I invite you to just ignore them from here on out. Defending this kind of behaviour at a park we all share is insane, to be honest. Perhaps my vitriol was a bit over the top, but this kind of bs is becoming commonplace the worse the world gets, and it’s getting overwhelming. But thank you for being so super judgmental. I could almost feel your moral superiority through the computer screen.

yesswesee July 5, 2017 (2:47 pm)

Well, when they come back, we’ll have a nice little surprise for them!!! And thanks to the gallant people who suffered the slings and arrows or in this case the firework debris, gratitude!!

Marianne July 5, 2017 (2:52 pm)

I agree with so many others that this was the noisiest 4th in many years. As far as the garbage, maybe the cost of the fireworks should be double what it is and the overage fee be put towards clean up costs. Yes, it would be nice if people would follow the law, but they don’t, so they should pay for it.

Boats July 5, 2017 (2:58 pm)

Littering is of course rude and illegal. But complaining about noise at 12:45am? Please. My whole life has been nothing but listening through walls to swing shift neighbors partying hearty (or even just paying video games and loudly talking) from 11p-530am. I called the landlord and talked to Seattle neighboehood precinct contact – nothing. Try living with noise like last night for YEARS and them maybe i’ll feel bad for you.

SWinWS July 5, 2017 (2:59 pm)

I wrote a comment/complaint to King County about neglecting their duty to deal with the externalities of the sales of fireworks within unincorporated King County. One suggestion, is to send out street sweepers the morning after before debris and run off takes it into the environment. I would suggest you all do the same…I am now taking out time in my day to pick up my neighbor’s firework waste because no one else will. WSB do you have any other suggestions to sway our government/public officials to uphold their duty to keeping our streets and public areas clean with regards to firework waste?

WSB July 5, 2017 (6:01 pm)

For King County, your reps are Executive Dow Constantine and County Councilmember (current council chair) Joe McDermott. Both lifelong West Seattle residents. Hopefully your county messages went to them rather than to a generic mailbox somewhere. Both have e-mail addresses/phone numbers online. We are about 10 years overdue for a “contact your elected representatives” page, sorry!
WSEd July 6, 2017 (11:59 am)

The city should go after the county for costs associated with cleanup since the county allows the sale of fireworks in white center that they know are going to be lit off in West Seattle. That area can’t get annexed into Seattle fast enough for me. How much you want to bet that when it becomes part of Seattle a lot of this nonsense on the fourth will magically go away. I saw a family by the Safeway on Roxbury literally filling up a pickup truck with fireworks. I guess if you have the money to burn.

Joan July 5, 2017 (3:18 pm)

I wish the sale of fireworks would stop. Hate the noise, hate knowing that I won’t get to sleep until after 2 .a.m., hate that I cant’ have my windows open on a hot July night, hate that my cats have to be scared.

The piles of trash left behind in public spaces has no excuse. People who litter just plain have no manners, no respect for others, no respect for public property. Shame on them. Fourth of July is no reason to become a selfish slob and disturber of the peace! Trashing the place is unpatriotic.

Bradley July 5, 2017 (3:24 pm)

So, we have a ban on fireworks SALES, but not a ban on fireworks USAGE, apparently. Last night, there were kids and adult yahoos lighting-off mortar fireworks directly over the SW police precinct. Huge crowd-pleasers, too. What a joke these “bans” are.

Kersti Muul July 5, 2017 (3:25 pm)

Around 6PM while strolling through Lincoln, it was really unsettling. This was even pre-fireworks. At the wading pool shelters there were extremely large groups of people with pit-bulls running off leash, chasing other dogs, and the BBQ grills were unattended with flames over 4 feet tall. I am not exaggerating….and then the fireworks came.

This morning the park was trashed and crows and squirrels were eating everywhere. One of the ‘nomadic’ park people offered to clean up the mess, after asking me for bus money. He cleaned up the whole thing.

Paul Binder July 5, 2017 (3:35 pm)

Dear Government PLEASE MAKE FIREWORKS BANNED IN WASHINGTON STATE.

How difficult is this? The amount of litter and injuries and possible fires is not worth it.

Bradley July 5, 2017 (5:14 pm)

Prohibition never works. Most of the large and loudest fireworks you heard all night were purchased on local Indian reservations. The state could ban the sale everywhere, but not there. If the state did ban them on state jurisdictions , you’d have even MORE people buying bigger and more-dangerous fireworks on the reservations. The more cities that have banned fireworks over the 27 years I’ve lived here, the worse it has got. They were legal everywhere when I moved here from another state and there were nowhere near as many people lighting them off in 1990.

We can celebrate together July 5, 2017 (3:54 pm)

I see this and hear this every year. Which gets me always asking myself why we, a old enough and large enough community do not put on our own firework show. One like so many other communities have. Barges either off Alki or Lincoln park with aerial firework show, music, food, the works. I think it not only would be enjoyable for all but may eliminate the growing noise and mess of fireworks we have now. Perhaps WSB and sponsors can look into this and see if it’s a realistic possibility?

Wy July 6, 2017 (8:43 am)

A ‘safe consumption zone’ (or a bunch of them, to reduce the amount of travel for folks) for fireworks isn’t a horrible idea. Easier cleanup, plus it’s kinda a tradition to do fireworks in much of the country. Except here, for some reason. Might even reduce the pressure to do it elsewhere less safe. Right in front of a the local fire stations?

Jim P. July 5, 2017 (4:08 pm)

No matter what the complaint is, the response is always “The Police are spread thin.” One wonders just what it is they *are* doing.

I’ve never seen even one response to calls I’ve made including one about a couple having loud sex on the hood of their car next to a high school or to deal with a motor home camped in the neighborhood that is cheeky enough to even set out a generator in the road and run it all night long.

Maybe the Parks Dept. could do a bit more also. Put a few people out to patrol the parks and the schools might put a person or two out in the athletic fields that are also major staging grounds for these artillery duel re-enactments.

Even a somewhat stepped up enforcement activity will discourage a lot of people who do not particularly want a couple of hundred dollars worth of fireworks confiscated.

The tax revenue base is increasingly rapidly as one effect of all this gentrification of the city and “high–rollers” moving in. Where is that money going? (I mean besides to bail out obvious failures like the bicycle rental program the city paid millions for for? Could have paid for a lot of cops with that money)

WSB July 5, 2017 (6:08 pm)

As best I can determine from various online reports, the bike-share program cost $3 million. According to Mayor Murray’s document about hiring 200 more officers, that is the annual cost of 20.

http://murray.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/SPD-Council-Cover-Letter.pdf
Jort Sandwich July 6, 2017 (2:20 pm)

As with any comment section on any Seattle-related story, it’s only a matter of time until somebody blames Pronto Bike Share (responsible for a only a fraction of a percent of overall expenditures by the city) for everything that is wrong with the world.

There is truly no limit to the amount of damage that Pronto Bike Share has wreaked upon our community. The horrors… the horrors….

JRR July 5, 2017 (4:09 pm)

Every year, we hear totally illegal mortar type bomb sounds coming from across Roxbury. My dog freaks out, sure, but you know who really hates them? Veterans. I feel like not replicating the sounds of war is a pretty damn respectful way to honor our nation and the people who sacrifice so much for it. Not to mention immigrants and refugees from places that don’t have the luxury of those sounds being “fun.”

Erithan July 5, 2017 (5:58 pm)

Thank you for this post! I will never understand why bombs are sold as “fireworks”. (And no I don’t mean the fun little pagoda fountain types which are quiet).
Rusty July 5, 2017 (6:22 pm)

JRR –

I can only speak for myself, understanding the complaints about noise (and really hate litter myself), but as a veteran who saw plenty of combat on 6 tours, fireworks don’t bug me. I don’t need fireworks to be reminded of the horrors of war, death, and loss. We all deal with things differently, just wanted to correct the assumption that seems prevalent nowadays that ‘all’ veterans hate fireworks.
- Wy July 6, 2017 (8:40 am)
  
  Some of us really like the darned things still. Good times.

West Seattle Hipster July 5, 2017 (4:56 pm)

Why are the tribes allowed to sell the more dangerous fireworks? What is different from the average dude selling explosives out of his basement?

J242 July 5, 2017 (7:12 pm)

The fact that their lands were basically stolen from them and the few slivers of land we “allow” them to retain control over are far & few between? I don’t blame them one bit. They are just fulfilling a demand that other providers cannot. The blame lies solely on the shoulders of those buying and using the goods in city limits (to the detriment of others). That’s what this is about. Changing the behavior of people who feel it’s fine to disregard their neighbors for their own amusement. It’s not okay and they are the ones who need to pay the penalties.
Heisenberg July 5, 2017 (7:41 pm)

Because the US Constitution recognizes Native American Tribal sovereignty. Tribes negotiate their laws directly with the US Federal Government in Treaties, so Tribes aren’t subject to State laws except in specific cases when directed to by the Federal Government.

Tribes support themselves financially through casinos and fireworks which aren’t allowed by state laws in surrounding areas.
- West Seattle Hipster July 6, 2017 (7:30 am)
  
  So allowing them to sell explosives to inebriated amateurs makes up the injustices they suffered centuries ago?
  
  interesting logic.
  
  Leave fireworks to the sane professionals.

Zale July 5, 2017 (5:01 pm)

I used to get angry about people leaving their garbage in the parks. I thought they were selfish, lazy bastards. Then I remembered that they were shooting off illegal fireworks and were just being consistently selfish bastards while ignoring the laws. I sometimes quietly wish that someone loses a finger. The vets with PTSD appreciate all the noise, I’m sure.

Lori V. July 5, 2017 (6:51 pm)

So that we have a place to follow through, I quickly created a Facebook page: “Take Back Solstice Park.” Not sure this is the best way to communicate concerns and come together, but I think if we have a plan and organize we can discourage some of these parties. Anyone is invited to help manage it (please!). I’ll give it a week or 2 and see if there’s interest. We can plan the 4th of July 2018!

uncle loco July 5, 2017 (6:59 pm)

This year didn’t seem so bad to me noise wise. My dog didn’t cower under the coffee table, he slept fine in his bed. I fell asleep with fireworks going off around 10:15. We’re only a block and a half from the Highland Park scene. I didn’t here any of the really loud ones this year (yet). Maybe we’re just getting old and losing our hearing haha.

Lisa July 5, 2017 (7:59 pm)

I also want to thank my neighbors who cleaned up solstice park this morning. I appreciate your kindness & respect for our neighborhood. This has been a rough year for partying up there & I’m just about fed up so your humanity goes a long way.

flimflam July 5, 2017 (9:26 pm)

ah, so this is what freedom looks like.

Derek July 6, 2017 (12:11 am)

Police have more important things to do than fulfill your noise complaints on the couple days of the year that are bound to be loud and chaotic, it’s always been like this in west Seattle around the 4th you’re just gonna have to live with it kiddos!

AH July 6, 2017 (7:25 am)

My neighbors shot a firework off that landed in our other neighbor’s yard and almost caught their house on fire. Luckily we didn’t go inside sooner, and were able to put it out before it spread. They would have never known.

Msw July 6, 2017 (8:35 am)

I couldn’t believe it when I saw the 8-10 cars parked right in the middle of Delridge play field. Not in a parking lot, literally in the middle of the grass. Even with street parking available 75 feet away. Barbecues out and massive fireworks lit by the group until early AM. Multiple cop cars drove right by and completely ignored the scene. I’m regretting not taking pictures of the group & license plates.

toes July 6, 2017 (9:54 am)

Disgusting people.

KT July 6, 2017 (9:59 am)

It’s a law enforcement problem and we all know SPD’s track record on quality of life issues in the neighborhoods. I do not expect SPD to be able to respond to every call of “my neighbor is shooting off fireworks” but you sure would expect them to be able to respond to scenes like depicted here in the WSB. I too am so tired of hearing how “thin” SPD is spread. How about the Chief getting public and vocal about the Mayor and City Council ignoring public safety needs? I think that basically this problem has grown way too big for them to legitimately handle because they have ignored it for so long

HP Neighbors July 6, 2017 (4:16 pm)

Highland Park Next Door is organizing volunteers to clean up West Crest Tonight!

Bring gloves, trash bag… My kids, few neighbors and I have been quietly picking up Highland Park Park for the last 10 years. It takes a community to be a community.

Last year, when I spoke with Seattle Parks Garbage Collectors they commented on how it typically takes 3-4 full garbage trucks to clean up Alki. Now times that by all the parks in the city! Help out the neighborhood by picking up one small bag of trash.

gatewood July 7, 2017 (2:12 am)

In the 60’s no one lit off major fireworks in the neighborhood; we’d go watch professional fireworks together, as a community, rather than trashing our parks and subjecting our neighbors to our own personal fireworks show.

People have become totally selfish and self-absorbed. Don’t blame the police . You can’t blame the police for that.