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WEST SEATTLE 4TH OF JULY: Early-evening notes

July 4, 2019 7:34 pm
|      51 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(Photo by David Hutchinson)

As night approaches, West Seattle’s shores are full of people enjoying the holiday – from the sandy stretch of Alki to the downtown-facing Harbor Avenue shore:

(WSB photo)

And police are out in force, ready for the crowd. The Alki Bathhouse even has a banner:

(Photo by David Hutchinson)

On the street side, lots of SPD presence:

(WSB photo)

We checked in with Southwest Precinct police who were there. You’re welcome to be on the beach until 11, which is when they’ll start clearing people. To clear traffic quicker after the 10:15 pm fireworks show across the bay, they’re using the same plan as last year. Speaking of fireworks = Kay sent this photo from Riverview Playfield:

No artificial turf there so it’s not among the fields where Seattle Parks plans to keep the lights on until 11. As for other fireworks deterrence – considering they’re illegal in the city – we’ve heard some dispatches on the scanner today, but the mayor did not make any statements about ordering SPD to step up enforcemen, as City Councilmember Lisa Herbold had requested. Herbold did finally get a response from the mayor’s office, as she reported in her weekly newsletter. No change from previous years, basically (read the response here). So if you’d like to see more enforcement next year, Herbold writes, you might consider contacting the mayor too.

Meantime, Herbold also calls attention to a new way Bellevue is handling complaints this year. And right over the city-county line, where fireworks are legal on the holiday, the King County Sheriff’s Office got funding for extra patrols in unincorporated areas.

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51 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE 4TH OF JULY: Early-evening notes"

  • Bradley July 4, 2019 (8:31 pm)

    Arbor Heights sounds like a war zone and it’s not even dark yet. So much for “enforcement”.

    • Raised in WS July 4, 2019 (10:34 pm)

      I’m not sure what you expect… cops on every street of every neighborhood in the city?

      • Bradley July 5, 2019 (12:12 am)

        I expect law enforcement to either write expensive tickets to everyone lighting them off OR, preferably, Seattle should legalize them and let youth groups and charities make money selling them, like they did 25+ years ago. But chaotic lawlessness while prohibiting Seattle groups from selling them legally is ridiculous.

        • Dp July 5, 2019 (11:04 am)

          The only way they will be able to enforce it is to federally ban them.  But they can’t because of the reservations.  The police can’t be everywhere at once.  

  • KBear July 4, 2019 (9:34 pm)

    Thanks for nothing, Mayor Durkan and Chief Best. 

    • Anne July 4, 2019 (9:45 pm)

      Above the north end of Delridge is the same. 

    • Britt July 4, 2019 (9:58 pm)

      I second that!  The City of Seattle, Mayor Durken, Chief Best and SPD should be ashamed that they blatantly allow for the lack of illegal firework enforcement.  

  • Eddie July 4, 2019 (9:36 pm)

    Yeah, I’ve never understood the appeal of fireworks during daylight. The only upside is the stuff that blows up during daylight won’t get blowed up later on.

  • Britt July 4, 2019 (9:38 pm)

    The city of Seattle should be ASHAMED of how my handle fireworks or basically their complete lack of enforcement.  For anyone who might have to work tomorrow, there’s no option of going to bed at a descendent hour.  

    • Raised in WS July 4, 2019 (10:33 pm)

      They’re called “earplugs”

    • Gyngersnap July 4, 2019 (10:36 pm)

      People’s pets are so traumatized! I think this year the stupid fireworks are the worst ever. I always hope it will pour rain every July 4th night, but no such luck.

      • Erithan July 5, 2019 (1:05 am)

        very bad this year i had panic attacks, started to calm down somone threw like an m80 or one of those bomb ones in the alley I face, super loud, saw a huge flash. :(

  • Karebear July 4, 2019 (10:22 pm)

    I wish it was raining out. Really hard rain 

  • Heather July 4, 2019 (10:23 pm)

    Please call the SPS non-emergency line so your concerns are logged: 206-625-5011. We called and got through to a dispatcher. The fireworks on Puget Ridge have gotten worse since then, but maybe if enough of us complain we’ll stop getting ignored.

  • Kris July 4, 2019 (10:28 pm)

    Happy Fourth of July! May the fireworks be plentiful;)

  • Linda July 4, 2019 (10:36 pm)

    Yes, what a bunch of fake caring/authority – the police, the mayor – no one DOES ANYTHING to stop the illegal fireworks.  We are on Fauntleroy by the ferry — it IS A WAR ZONE!  DO SOMEThing  Police Force to STOP all the fireworks let off over the water on the beach by the Ferry dock.  It is RIDICULOUS!!

  • carole July 4, 2019 (10:38 pm)

    Sounds like cannons near the Junction.  I don’t even see stuff in the sky…just noise..  

  • TJ July 4, 2019 (10:40 pm)

    It’s one night, for a tradition that has been going on for decades, and in every city and town in the country. Is it scary? I honestly do the get it. And what the politicians here should be “ashamed” of is not enforcing laws ALL year long that have allowed the city to become what it is now. Public camping, derelict rv’s, open drug use, on and on. 

  • Julia July 4, 2019 (10:51 pm)

    I’m near the ferry dock and I LOVE the fireworks shot off from the beach! I look forward to seeing them every year and I’m grateful to those who spend their money to buy them.

  • Alki resident July 4, 2019 (11:00 pm)

    It’s funny how do many complain of the holiday you only have 364 days to prepare for. If someone’s pet is traumatized then that’s your fault as there are plenty of things to give them these days to calm them. My dog is 8 months. There are bombs going off constantly and she hasn’t flinched(unmedicated). Every year is the same complaints. I’m so greatful to have grown up with family and neighbors who loved the fourth and fireworks. I too work tomorrow. Ear plugs work wonders as do sound machines, fans and music. 

  • Cycleman July 4, 2019 (11:30 pm)

    War Zone?!?! You obviously have never been in a war. It’s fireworks, not grenades. Be safe, have fun and enjoy your freedom!! Btw I have to be up at 4:30am and I’m smiling. 

    • Jethro Marx July 4, 2019 (11:54 pm)

      That was my thought; no one with time logged in a combat area or who has experienced an actual bomb would ever make this comparison. I know it’s a weird night; I was just driving my six-year-old around looking for fireworkers in the streets. And sorry, but if your pets are nervous, they learned that by watching YOU.

      • West Seattle Hipster July 5, 2019 (6:16 am)

        I can see how a 6 year old would really get into fireworks.  I can’t understand why adults would enjoy seeing aerial explosives over densely populated neighborhoods though.

    • Bradley July 5, 2019 (12:08 am)

      Yes, I’ve been in a war zone, and, yes, this is what it sounds like.

      • Getagrip July 5, 2019 (6:59 am)

        It does not sound like fireworks, for I have also been in a war zone. 

        • Bradley July 5, 2019 (12:32 pm)

          Sounded exactly like 1975 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (war zone) right here on the east side of Arbor Heights. Perhaps it wasn’t as bad in your neighborhood?

          • Jethro Marx July 5, 2019 (1:30 pm)

            I’m in Sunrise Heights and $#!? gets hectic thick around here around the holiday; I suppose comparing it to combat feels trite because pretty much no one in my neighborhood wants to kill me. Cambodia is pretty different from Arbor Heights, though- did you mean you served there?

          • Bradley July 5, 2019 (2:20 pm)

            My family worked for the U.S. Embassy there before we evacuated in 1975. I lived in Sunrise Heights for many years and there are definitely more fireworks around Arbor Heights here. It’s probably due to the fireworks stand in front of Roxbury Lanes/Safeway and bigger back yards/more privacy.

  • KM July 4, 2019 (11:39 pm)

    It seems like leaving the lights on overnight at all schools/parks would be helpful. Our neighborhood isn’t that bad, but we don’t suffer from any conditions that could cause problems for us, so hard to say. My thoughts are with all the people and animals who are traumatized by fireworks, and a big thank you to those that clean up after their rude neighbors. 

  • John July 4, 2019 (11:40 pm)

    Maybe pass an ordinance (ordnance?) that all realtors are required to inform prospective buyers that you, as a West Seattle resident, WILL get an explosive 4th of July, and that is that. No. Shhhhh. We all choose our little laws to break, don’t we? See…finally quiet. Whoa, what the…that must have been an M-80!!

  • Susan July 4, 2019 (11:57 pm)

    I’m  with Julia in loving the fireworks along the beach in Fauntleroy Cove.     The constant deep booms and cloud illuminations  beyond the cove indicate that there’s a heck of a lot of fireworks going off everywhere.  There is no way that SPD could even begin to enforce the ordinance so give up on trying to shame them.  They did patrol the beach in Lincoln Park around 10:30 PM announcing that people had to vacate by 11:00, and then again a bit after 11:00 to sweep stragglers toward the street.   

  • L July 5, 2019 (12:08 am)

    https://twitter.com/SkywayFire/status/1147028949161000960
    Tell that to the people whose homes are on fire.

    • KBear July 5, 2019 (9:21 am)

      A man died in that fire. I’m waiting to hear how earplugs would have helped with that situation, or how it’s OK because it’s only one day a year. 

  • Eddie V. July 5, 2019 (12:31 am)

    Water down you lawn and make friends. Post some party pics people!

  • ice July 5, 2019 (12:38 am)

    In the last few years, I have become much less of a fan of all of the explosions that happen on the 4th of July. First, I just want to state that blaming the mayor and the police force seems for a lack of enforcement on the fireworks is pretty silly. There are fireworks going off everywhere, all of the time. For a police officer to actually cite someone would be nearly impossible. How would they even do it? fly 10 helicopters around and take pictures of everyone and then use that as evidence is court? With that said, shooting off such a crazy amount of fireworks has a lot of externalities. There are more people around with PTSD that is set off by loud explosion sounds than most people realize. Just because they don’t discuss it doesn’t mean this isn’t stressful for them. Also, as pointed out by other posters, this is very scary for animals and very toxic for the environment in general. I can understand why fireworks are fun and I have had fun shooting them off myself, but I no longer think they are benign and are they have quite a negative effects on the world around me, thus I choose not to participate and ask others to celebrate the 4th of July is a more conscious way.

  • Brian Hughes July 5, 2019 (3:29 am)

    It’s now 3:00am on July 5th and and a neighbor one block over thinks now is the perfect time for a full compliment of aerial boomers.  Those of you who say “it’s just one night – get over it” aren’t being honest.  It starts in earnest on July 3rd and lasts until the 5th or 6th. This has nothing to do with “freedom” and everything to do with being an anti-social jackass.

  • waikikigirl July 5, 2019 (4:51 am)

    Here it is July 5th (1st day of Summer, wink, wink) I’m up getting ready to give my kitty his insulin I was woken a few times thru the night from fireworks but knew I would be so I did not get myself all worked up about it. My 2 cats went to the basement to get away from the noise and are doing just fine this morning…if you get your mindset that this is going to happen and there is not a thing you can do to stop it you’ll be much better, instead most of you come here to complain and blame and what does it get you??? just more gray hairs and stress wrinkles.    

  • Rachel Schriber July 5, 2019 (5:38 am)

    In High Point, they started earlier this year and continued much later (heard the first one at 11 am and they would consistent by 7 pm) into the early morning hours (3 am).We have always prepared our dogs and I have never honestly minded the beautiful fountains but most of what I heard last night sounded like they were in the m80 family. Normal fireworks until a normal hour (11 pm would have been nice) I’m not sure would bother me too much but this was ridiculously inconsiderate.

  • anonyme July 5, 2019 (6:48 am)

    Most of these lawbreakers make no attempt to hide what they’re doing, so no helicopters necessary.   People across the street from me set up a rocket launcher in the middle of the street every year.  A few years ago a cop came by, carefully maneuvered around the obstruction, gave the criminals a little salute, and drove away.   That is shameful behavior for a supposed law-enforcement officer, and yes, Durkan & Best are pathetic excuses for leaders for not just allowing, but encouraging this to happen.  As usual, the pro-fireworks folks not only make arrogant, selfish, nonsensical assertions about how everybody else should deal with their illegal activity, but provide no explanation as to why they are exempt from the law.  Narcissism is an explanation, but not a justifiable defense.

  • West Seattle Hipster July 5, 2019 (7:15 am)

    Illegal fireworks changed a few lives last night:https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/fireworks-may-be-to-blame-for-deadly-highline-house-fire-3-hurt-at-muckleshoot-fireworks-stand/

  • Concerned Voter July 5, 2019 (8:40 am)

    WSB, Thank you for posting  councilmember Herbolds letter to the mayors office asking for increased enforcement and the mayors office response letter.  I hope everyone reads them and puts some thought into what’s transpiring. The mayors office response clearly states that SPD “does not have the capacity to respond to every non-emergency fireworks complaint.”   I believe this to be a true statement as it is a well known publicized fact that staffing levels for SPD are low and have been for years.  Some have argued that the City Council less than favorable view of SPD has contributed to the low numbers.Then add a busy holiday such as the 4th where police need to be out in force at Alki and South Lake Union and out responding to the increase in emergencies there really isn’t a way for SPD to respond to all of the fireworks complaints they receive.   That’s just simple math, there are more calls than officers can respond to. Council member Herbold then blogs that enforcement is out of her control and it’s all the mayors and police fault.  Well, council does control the budget and money for staffing so she’s not being completely forthright.  Council has contributed to the low police numbers year round, including the 4th.   Herbold is not being honest and she’s coming off as pandering on this issue.  Thank you WSB for posting those letters, I read them and hope others do too. I hope everyone had a happy 4th and made it through okay. 

    • KBear July 5, 2019 (10:56 am)

      No one expects SPD to respond to EVERY fireworks incident, and Herbold says so in her response. But it is unacceptable for SPD to do next to nothing when so many people are openly violating the law. If there were any possibility of a hefty fine and/or jail time, at least some of these hooligans would find other ways to celebrate. SPD knows that there will be fireworks on July 4 (and the weeks before and after.) They should have a plan in place and staff allocated to deal with it. Doesn’t mean they shouldn’t respond to other emergencies. Doesn’t mean they can’t reassign officers if something else comes up. But this attitude of “we can’t do anything” is pure laziness on their part.

      • Gene July 5, 2019 (11:46 am)

        How do you know SPD did “next to nothing “?I mean what proof would you need for that- total silence? Just how many officers/staff do you think it would take to accomplish whatever you think would be a satisfactory outcome? I don’t know for sure- but think wouldn’t be surprised if LE had an “all hands on deck” policy for 4th.

  • m July 5, 2019 (10:30 am)

    Clearly no one is thinking of our most important West Seattle resident, Gravy, our wild turkey and what this may be doing to their psyche. Long live Gravy! 

  • Angry Taxpayer July 5, 2019 (10:59 am)

    So…where does one find the “magic earplugs”?The ones that block out the fireworks so I can sleep, but lets me hear an emergency or my alarm clock!Oh, that’s right…the earplugs are located right next to the “magic CBD oil” for our pets!C’mon, enforce the damn laws!!!

    • Gene July 5, 2019 (1:11 pm)

      These work  great! 

  • Tracey July 5, 2019 (11:38 am)

    I am more likely to get fined for walking my friendly dog off leash, jaywalking downtown, parking forward in a back-in only spot, etc. etc than for illegal fireworks in this city.   If there are resources for that, there can be resources for fireworks. 

  • Bradley July 5, 2019 (1:01 pm)

    I was nearly assaulted by 3 young men at 2:00am at a local church parking lot. Our neighborhood was extremely quiet by that time, yet they decided to start launching the biggest mortars that money can buy. I called 911 before walking over to the edge of the parking lot. I asked them why they were lighting them off after 2am and advised them that I already called 911. Two of them were my size (large) and another was smaller. They swore at me and told me to “come over here” (to where their vehicle was). I informed them that they were on private property and faced arrest when the police arrived. At that point they started quickly walking towards me while verbally taunting me. Being 63 years old and outnumbered, I walked back onto my property and told them that pursuing me was assault. They quickly walked back to their vehicle and left the area. I had dropped my cellphone at one point and didn’t locate it for a good 40 minutes later, so I did not call 911 back to report their threatening behavior. As of 3am no police arrived for my initial call, anyway, so I went to bed. The  lawlessness that has been allowed to flourish in our city has obviously also emboldened those who wish to make as much noise as is humanly possible 3 hours before sunrise.

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