FOURTH OF JULY 2024: Chronicling a busy night for emergency responders

10:08 PM: It’s become an annual tradition – chronicling emergency responses on this very busy night. Right now police and fire are headed to 18th/Roxbury, reported as driver/motorcyclist collision, blocking westbound Roxbury. Dispatchers are also announcing fireworks reports over the air – in the past few minutes we’ve heard 9000 block of 16th, Roxhill Park, California/Hanford, 58th/Alki.There was also a “brush fire” response in the 7100 block of 28th SW just before 9:30 pm.

10:45 AM: We’re checking on the motorcycle rider; all SFD units are closed out of the call. Meantime police have just found someone that was reported as possibly in trouble in the water off the 2600 block of Alki – they’re reported to be OK. … “They do not need medical,” reported Engine 5 (a non-WS-based crew which we noted in a 6:30 pm spin around Alki was stationed by the Bathhouse). Alki had a major police presence, as we noted last year too, including officers posted at both ends of the Alki Point “Healthy Street” (thanks to the reader who tipped us on that so we could go confirm):

That’s the car that was stationed at the Beach Drive end, while another one was blocking the Alki Avenue end. SPD also had the Don Armeni entrance blocked when we went by minutes later. …

11:05 PM: “Crowds are clearing” on Alki, according to police radio … Reader report from Tyler on west side of The Junction: “My house (in the 4400 block of) 45th Ave SW tonight got a firework thrown at it by a white SUV with 3 people, 2 in balaclavas, they then drove away and this is another attack on our family as my car has been broken into 2 times in June within 3 weeks.” …

11:22 PM: Heard back from SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo on the motorcycle collision: “Crews treated a 30-year-old male who was in stable condition. AMR transported him to Harborview.” … Texter just sent pics from Alki as SPD continues telling people to leave:

11:28 PM: Police are responding to a report of a street robbery in The Junction, 4400 block of 44th SW, and the robbers got away in a red Mustang (possibly the one reported here as stolen earlier in the day).

12:27 AM: Nothing further on that; we’ll check with police later this morning. (SPD incident # 24-183510) … Responders have been called to the 1900 block of Harbor a couple times tonight – earlier, a report of an intoxicated driver hitting a car and then trying to flee, and more recently a 62-year-old woman injured in a fall …

1:06 AM: While firefighters were at that call, they also put out a trash-can fire, a texter reports:

“The firemen are now spraying down a trash receptacle across from our condos because a young man lit it on fire. Thank goodness for our first responders.”

1:57 AM: The big fire calls tonight have been elsewhere in the city. Meantime, police are responding now to someone in Delridge who wants to report that somewhere on Alki, a “white man in his 70s, thin build with a beard, blue tank top, shorts, possibly khaki, intoxicated” pulled a gun on her and her 8-year-old cousin, and fled in “a gray SUV.” No injury reported.

2:19 AM: Another trash-can fire reported, this time with SFD responding to Beach Drive/Oregon, possibly ‘discarded fireworks” sparked it. And police are “trying to catch up to” a van headed west on Admiral with someone inside it reported to be throwing fireworks out the window. … As Engine 32 arrives at the Beach Drive scene, they’re describing it as a “grass fire.”

2:39 AM: The helicopter that just flew westbound over Westwood, Fauntleroy, etc., is a Life Flight helicopter – they often fly over late at night.

3:19 AM: Things have quieted considerably, overall.

118 Replies to "FOURTH OF JULY 2024: Chronicling a busy night for emergency responders"

  • Rhonda July 4, 2024 (10:14 pm)

    Arbor Heights sounds like 2003 Baghdad. Biggest fireworks we’ve ever heard here.

    • Jethro Marx July 4, 2024 (11:10 pm)

      No there is a difference, sound and otherwise, and it’s significant.

      • Rhonda July 4, 2024 (11:30 pm)

        I was at Baghdad International Airport in late-April 2003 and the distant fireworks sound a lot like it.

        • K July 5, 2024 (12:24 am)

          Fireworks are easy to distinguish from gunshots once you’ve heard them a few times.  They’re actually pretty different.

          • Vet July 5, 2024 (7:31 am)

            They aren’t talking about gunshots. 

          • Daniel July 5, 2024 (8:32 am)

            While true, I doubt Rhonda was talking about small arms fire.  From the airport (in Baghdad), it would probably be larger stuff – artillery, etc.  and that does sound closer to fireworks.  Especially if we’re talking about both being at a distance.

          • Tim July 5, 2024 (9:19 am)

            I think they were referencing the sound of mortars and the bombs we were dropping, not gunshots…

        • Husky July 5, 2024 (7:04 am)

          The George Santos of West Seattle, don’t you know?? Lol 🤣

          • 1994 July 5, 2024 (4:10 pm)

            LOL – that was funny!

        • Resident July 5, 2024 (9:18 am)

          No, they do not. Nothing like it. Military here from Desert Shield. One explodes above the ground, other explodes on the ground with 100x the force.

    • Seattlite July 5, 2024 (5:36 am)

      Gunshots are distinctly different from fireworks to the well-trained ear.

    • Iraq girl July 5, 2024 (3:46 pm)

      I was born in Baghdad, Iraq and lived there until circa 2003 until I immigrated to the states as a war refugee. No offense but you could not be more wrong, y’all actually had it super easy last night. There’s a significant difference between fireworks and what you’re referring to. 

  • 1994 July 4, 2024 (10:14 pm)

    Fireworks in the air over Arbor Heights – like crazy times! 10s of thousands of dollars up in fire and smoke…..plus a long drive to purchase them….I hope they finish them off tonight so we don’t have to hear leftovers for the next several nights.

  • Thomas Paine July 4, 2024 (10:22 pm)

    Not like personal firework usage wasn’t banned, and these selfish a-holes just go on and ignore it. Never mind those of us with pets and little ones.Hopefully karma blows up on them.

  • Mike July 4, 2024 (10:29 pm)

    If you see people lighting fireworks at Seattle Public Schools, SPS Security # is 206-252-0510 and they have a fire watch going around.  We have many schools next to forested areas and it’s highly dangerous conditions right now.

  • Zzz July 4, 2024 (10:30 pm)

    Fireworks are being shot off at 15th ave sw and Henderson. In th middle of the street.

  • jedidiahperkins July 4, 2024 (10:31 pm)

    West Seattlites: “this place is lawless, there are not enough cops to stop people from doing illegal activities!

    West Seattlites on 4th of July: “I’m going to put on a fireworks show for my neighborhood!”

  • MercyMoi July 4, 2024 (10:34 pm)

    Nothing gets me crankier than amateurs lighting up loud and dangerous fireworks in dense neighborhoods! Leave it to the pros, folks. 

  • Ban the sale of fireworks even on reservations July 4, 2024 (10:34 pm)

    Sorry not sorry. Fireworks are literally a boon to everything that lives. We need to either enforce an actual ban of sales in the city or outright ban them at the state level and eliminate sales. 

    • Jethro Marx July 4, 2024 (11:19 pm)

      https://youtu.be/dTRKCXC0JFg?feature=shared Boon: a blessing in time of need, an essential helping hand 

      • Ok boomer? July 5, 2024 (12:15 am)

        Sorry not sorry; Fireworks are OBVIOUSLY a boon to everything that lives.

        • Sam July 5, 2024 (1:39 am)

          Look up the word “boon” in a dictionary. 

          • Oh my gawd July 5, 2024 (11:07 am)
            1. [SARCASTICALLY] Fireworks are a boon to everyone.
            2. Jesus Hchrist know what boon means. That’s why I used it. 
          • Sam July 5, 2024 (11:54 am)

            OK, booner! Settle down!

          • Constructive critic July 5, 2024 (12:34 pm)

            I think if you intended the statement in the original post to be sarcastic, that definitely wasn’t clear. It was a lone pro-fireworks statement sandwiched inexplicably between anti-fireworks statements. That made it look to people like it was also supposed to be an explicitly anti-fireworks statement rather than sarcasm, and that you were just using the word “boon” incorrectly, since replacing the word with something negative would make the entire post more coherent.If you had extended and exaggerated the sarcasm, or started with it and then transitioned to anti-fireworks sincerity, that would have also made it more obvious. For example, “Fireworks are literally a boon to everything that lives. Dogs love the soothing sound of explosions. Humans are made mentally healthier from the random sensation of possible gunshots going off in their surroundings. The smoke and fire improve the natural environment, improving the quality of life for both flora and fauna.  …No, seriously, f–k fireworks.”

    • Ly July 5, 2024 (12:19 am)

      I saw someone argue on a post on FB that fireworks should not be banned even though the risk of wildfires in summer because “fireworks during the 4th of July is an American right”. That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. 

      • Delulu July 5, 2024 (9:39 am)

        Your allowed your opinion, but you’re not going to change an Independence Day tradition lol 

    • Danimal July 5, 2024 (3:50 am)

      The word you’re looking for is “bane,” not “boon.”

      • Frog July 5, 2024 (10:33 am)

        Maybe he meant “boom” — n and m are close on the keyboard.

  • Leslie July 4, 2024 (10:40 pm)

    Also crazy over Lowman. As usual, I might add.

  • Wsresident July 4, 2024 (11:05 pm)

    Arbor Heights feels like it may never end.

  • Charlie July 4, 2024 (11:25 pm)

    The offramp to Harbor Ave is blocked by SPD?

    • WSB July 4, 2024 (11:31 pm)

      They often do that until they’ve cleared the beach out.

    • pL July 4, 2024 (11:57 pm)

      Good!

  • I love safety July 4, 2024 (11:33 pm)

    There was just a massive number of police sirens south of Morgan Junction like 5 or 10 minutes ago

    • WSB July 5, 2024 (12:04 am)

      that would have been the robbery response. units went full code from wherever they were at the time.

  • Lucy July 4, 2024 (11:37 pm)

    Alki beach is NOT cleared out.  It’s loud as heck down here.  And now the hot rods and motorcycles are starting up.  

  • Fireworks July 4, 2024 (11:45 pm)

    Be careful driving Avalon at Bradford (near Luna Park Pet Care and Public Storage), there’s a group setting large fireworks off in the intersection over Avalon. They’re also firing off handheld fireworks that are going out into Avalon.

  • Dm July 4, 2024 (11:45 pm)

    Jerks blowing A LOT of fireworks at 15th and Holden. Busy street and lots of trees near by. Stupid! 

    • Resident July 5, 2024 (1:59 am)

      Waited on the non emergency line for an hour and 42 mins to report them. Felt necessary this year considering another neighbor of mine on the same street set the alley on fire 3 weeks ago. Love it here!!

      • Danimal July 5, 2024 (3:53 am)

        You do NOT need to wait for the non-emergency line no. Call 9-1-1. This advice comes straight from the police themselves. Call 9-1-1, and the dispatcher/police will make a determination on urgency and priority. Straight from the police, call 9-1-1 for everything. 

        • sam-c July 5, 2024 (12:31 pm)

          I thought all the agencies said NOT to call 9-1-1 to report fireworks unless there was a fire (caused by fireworks) or injuries (caused by fireworks).    I considered calling 911 when I saw a pack of 12-14 year old boys roaming around, setting off fireworks. They were un-chaperoned and seemed pretty clueless about what they were doing (where they were pointing the hand-held fireworks, how close they were standing near the ones they had lit (on the pavement), etc)  

  • TIRED July 5, 2024 (12:03 am)

    Make it stop, enough already! Explosions and booms still going off randomly near Highland Park Elementary. 

  • Sunshine July 5, 2024 (12:07 am)

    Less than usual in Seaview, this year! 

    • Suzanne July 5, 2024 (2:29 am)

      I’m in Seaview neighborhood and it was horrible this year. Sounded like a war zone for hours. Quieter now at 2:30 am but there’s still the occasional idiot firing them off. Just heard a couple more booms as I write this.  As bad as it is for us, it’s far worse for all the wildlife. Don’t know how them make it through the craziness of fireworks. 

  • Kitty PowPow July 5, 2024 (12:11 am)

    Can still hear lots continuously in Admiral after midnight. Some are near, though others might be across the water. People, it is too late for this. Please stop. 

    • B July 5, 2024 (9:24 am)

      I believe I heard some around 3 a.m., almost in time for the early bird calls at 4 a.m.. It sounded like they were exploding in an alleyway, and I could smell smoke coming through the windows. I don’t remember the 4th being this plainly obnoxious and anti-social.

      • Tired July 5, 2024 (8:15 pm)

        Antisocial is the perfect way to describe this behavior! We each have a social obligation to not do harm to our neighbors and this insanity around fireworks “holidays” completely disrespects the hard working residents who have to go to work in the morning!

  • Ly July 5, 2024 (12:14 am)

    After I watched a hedge catch fire and almost melt some electrical lines few years ago during 4th of July, I decided I’ve had enough and every 4th we leave West Seattle. We shouldn’t have to deal with this chaos. I don’t understand why this just gets worse and worse every year and elected officials don’t give a rats a** about it. Ban fireworks means nothing if you don’t enforce it. No one enforces anything here. 

  • Boom July 5, 2024 (12:22 am)

    There is a van full of fireworks parked at the Alki playfield shooting them off steadily from the basketball court since 10pm. Plenty going off from the beach and other spots in the neighborhood as well. 

  • Dee July 5, 2024 (12:42 am)

    Enough already! Bombs bursting in air replicated in Fauntleroy tonight….so unnecessary.  12:45 and no sleep yet!

  • SoSleepy July 5, 2024 (12:56 am)

    SPD was parked at Beach Dr earlier this evening and the officer was boasting about getting paid double today. Parked right next to the Healthy Street/Street Close sign.
    Yet, it’s nearly 1am and there are hundreds of fireworks being fired off in neighboring streets. Glad those on the healthy street are sleeping well tonight on their publicly funded gated community. Happy Birthday America.

  • Alkilocal July 5, 2024 (12:59 am)

    Wasn’t the crux and end alignment of the meeting held between the Alki community, police and city officials enforced beach closures and enhanced safety?  It’s almost 1am and it’s a madhouse war zone. Speeding cars, reckless driving, crowds growing and starting to cause damage, so so many fireworks. Where is this enforcement? All I’m hearing/seeing is enabling. “You can’t do this anymore”oh you just did it- in front of me… “Well I guess don’t keep doing that for too much longer…”   Enough- what’s the plan to protect this community. 

  • Daiso Gal July 5, 2024 (1:01 am)

    Someone is igniting bombs FAR in the distance that are the biggest I’ve ever heard in decades of living in West Seattle. 

  • Buffalo Bum July 5, 2024 (1:07 am)

    1am and Arbor Heights is finally quiet enough for my dogs to go to sleep and us too. Happy 4th 

    • WSB July 5, 2024 (1:20 am)

      Upper Fauntleroy is down to “sporadic,” too – though from where we are, could be hearing Gatewood, Arbor Heights, Lincoln Park. The only people on our street who set off fireworks did it before dusk.

    • Jill July 5, 2024 (7:39 am)

      You lucky 🍀 they keep going off until 4 am in my neighborhood 

  • CJ July 5, 2024 (1:25 am)

    Took the 11:20 ferry from Southworth to Fauntleroy and there were lots of fireworks going off from the south side of Lincoln Park as we arrived. Parks vehicle drove past them but didn’t stop. 

  • Exhausted July 5, 2024 (2:05 am)

    2am and fireworks still going strong in Alki around 62nd and Stevens to Alki Ave. 

  • Kate July 5, 2024 (3:28 am)

    For those of us like to breathe clean air, pay attention to the current air quality. Airnow.gov had our air quality listed at almost 200 which is in the “unhealthy for all” range. It’s a challenging time to close up windows during a heat wave….Stay safe out there.

  • Kate July 5, 2024 (3:38 am)

    For those of us that like to breathe clean air, pay attention to the current air quality. Airnow.gov had our air quality listed at almost 200 which is in the “unhealthy for all” range. It’s a challenging time to close up windows during a heat wave….Stay safe out there.

    • Water Taxi Rider July 5, 2024 (10:25 am)

      I noticed a haze over Elliot Bay as I was waiting for the water taxi.

  • WS Guy July 5, 2024 (4:02 am)

    I’m just here for my annual reading of the West Seattle complaining nellies.  Where are the dog people this year?

    • Pete July 5, 2024 (10:15 am)

      Nah, some of us just have to work for a living and have to be up in the morning, mate. But you already know that, right?  The lack of anything resembling a social contract in country is genuinely sad tbh.

      • OneTimeCharley July 5, 2024 (12:08 pm)

        Well stated Pete. Believe it or not it’s even worse in other places; much worse. It also makes me incredibly sad. It’s WE the people, not ME the people. 

    • datamuse July 5, 2024 (11:44 am)

      Just out of curiosity—and I am genuinely curious whenever I see a comment like this—is there any point where you would consider fireworks and explosions on the 4th (or any other time for that matter) excessive?

      • Claudia Williams July 5, 2024 (12:55 pm)

        I’d consider literally burning your money excessively any day

      • WS Guy July 5, 2024 (5:57 pm)

        It gets fully dark at about 10 pm.  I’d say 5-6 hours should be enough time to celebrate. Start winding it down at 3 am, last shot at 4 am.

  • ML July 5, 2024 (5:36 am)

    Why were fireworks going off till 4 am on Alki and Bonair area last night!!  Aren’t they illegal? And WHY were they able to keep it up for so long.  I’m very confused!!

    • Darren July 5, 2024 (12:01 pm)

      Because the cops are sitting on millionaire row ( healthy street) it makes me sick that these privileged few have created this street and it’s sanctioned by the city.  

  • Marcus July 5, 2024 (6:11 am)

    Fireworks are incredibly expensive with a fairly long travel time to acquire.  I guess not everyone of our youth are void of discretionary spending.  

    • KM July 5, 2024 (10:31 am)

      Youth? Mostly grown adults doing this in our neighborhood.

  • Gri Malkin July 5, 2024 (6:35 am)

    Police presence in Alki neighborhood did nothing to dissuade anyone from shooting off fireworks. For several hours we saw a full-on show happening yards behind the cruiser parked at the entrance to the “healthy street.” 

  • anonyme July 5, 2024 (6:37 am)

    I wonder what the total cost is to taxpayers for police and fire on the 4th?  Since no one in charge is either interested in enforcing the law or protecting citizens, I think a very valid case could be made that the ‘look the other way’ attitude toward fireworks is extremely costly on many levels.  If even a few fines were handed out, that could not only be a deterrent, but add money to city coffers rather than depleting them.  Our former council member tried to get enforcement/citation info from the city/SPD and was completely stonewalled.  By not staffing the non-emergency number, SPD severely limits the number of complaints that can be logged.  Currently, police do not interfere with extreme violations occurring right in front of them.  I propose a fireworks hotline that would allow both voicemail and online reporting, so that we have evidence just how serious this problem is.

  • Gina July 5, 2024 (6:51 am)

    6:45 am and the amateurs are still at it in nw West Seattle. 

  • waikikigirl July 5, 2024 (7:03 am)

    And now the air/sky looks like we’re in forest fire season and for those (me) that are overly sensitive to smoke, dust and odors UGH! Not to mention the people who have asthma, COPD…  Hopefully our marine air will clear it out quickly!

  • Alki resident July 5, 2024 (7:06 am)

    The fireworks this year were stunning. We had such a great time. Thanks for the show everyone. 

    • jeff July 5, 2024 (10:13 am)

      Ah yes all that trash left on the beach is STUNNING! Gosh I hate this holiday.

    • JDB July 5, 2024 (11:42 am)

      Aren’t you always complaining that there aren’t enough cops to stop people from doing illegal activity, yet here you are appreciating and encouraging illegal activity. Dare I ask, have you turned over a new leaf, Alki Res?

      • Alki resident July 5, 2024 (4:52 pm)

        Actually if you’ve read my comments the right way, you’ll notice I’m saying there’s not enough police anymore because they’ve left to go elsewhere, due to the fact they can no longer do their jobs here. I have police in my family. It wasn’t a “ complaint”. So no I’ve not turned over a new leaf”. And yes, I’m enjoying the illegal fireworks much more than the illegal fentanyl that I’m seeing everywhere, thank you. 

        • JDB July 6, 2024 (8:11 am)

          Like I said, you’ve mentioned many times there aren’t enough cops in Seattle – for whatever reasons. Why would you, a person who seems to be very pro-police/law, encourage illegal activity? Pretty hypocritical.

  • gonnabealongday July 5, 2024 (7:29 am)

    Ha, funny that your last dispatch, saying it had quieted down, was at 3:19am because I think the constant (oh my gosh, so constant) booms finally
    ended on alki right around 3:20. Leaving me plenty of time for sleeping
    before my alarm to get up and go to work went off at 5:24! Maybe I’m remembering the last few years through a rose tint but I feel like they weren’t so bad and this was by far the worst
    year since 2020. Hopefully they’ve got it all out of their systems [pause for laughter] because of boy would I like to be able to leave the windows open tonight and Sat-Sun nights.

  • Claudia Williams July 5, 2024 (7:36 am)

    I get fireworks – when it’s dark, sparkles etc. Can any one explain to me the point of setting off “fireworks” that produce only a loud boom of varying intensity and no sparkles? I’ve been listening to my neighbor setting off one after another pretty much all day yesterday.but then we know he’s got issues.  Thank goodness for noise canceling headphones and the kittens have come back out of hiding. 

  • Jeepney July 5, 2024 (7:47 am)

    It’s a good indicator of how well the economy is doing by how many fireworks you saw and heard last night.  Looks like lots of folks have plenty of disposable income.

  • Sarpandarpy July 5, 2024 (8:00 am)

    Down by the Barton Pea Patch they finally stopped at 3. Then the last one was at 5 am. Sure would like to shoot some up right next to their house all day today to keep them up! The ones that shake the house booms are the worst. I just don’t get the fascination of something that can be do dangerous to property, homes, wildlife, pets and our war hero’s. I hate society doesn’t care about anyone else but themselves. 

  • Pete July 5, 2024 (8:31 am)

    I was at the beach with my son last night. It was either sit in with the windows rattling, unable to watch our usual movie or go out and watch.The atmosphere was actually not too bad, lots of families and couples. I’m guessing the mood changed significantly after dark set in. The most amazing sight was the three Orcas putting on a show just off the beach. A good chunk of the beach stopped to watch and cheer every breach and splash… it was surreal!

  • Pete July 5, 2024 (8:35 am)

    I’ll be heading out with my son to clear up fireworks/trash from alki later on this morning. It’s really sad we have to do this to be honest. I’m not a fan of fireworks for all the obvious reasons. I’m not American, no other country I’ve lived in has been so invested in blowing stuff up.

  • Loud July 5, 2024 (8:54 am)

    Last firework down at alki this AM was 0520. I usually don’t care as I live here and it’s expected but that was a bit much till 0500 in the morning.

  • Alkilocal July 5, 2024 (8:57 am)

    Lots of anxiety and distress in our house until 245am at Alki. Not proud or thankful to our neighbors and usual character visitors who made the night so rough for our communities. Not looking forward to walking the beach and parks to help clean up the mess left behind. Does anyone have a plan to mitigate for next year?

  • Jissy July 5, 2024 (9:34 am)

    SO disappointed to see the air quality this morning at 115, “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups”.  Been low low double digits up until yesterday.  I feel like fireworks are a catalyst for a rash of poor air quality every year.  

    WSB, I hope you get a nap or TWO today!

    • WS Res July 5, 2024 (2:15 pm)

      It’s wildfires, unfortunately, not fireworks. (Whether any fireworks caused wildfires, that’s above my pay grade.)

      • Daiso Gal July 5, 2024 (10:56 pm)

        WS Res, the horrible air pollution we had last night was entirely from fireworks smoke. We had very good air quality in the 20s just before sunset and by 1am it was dreadful. We’re back in the low-20s now.

  • Peter S. July 5, 2024 (9:59 am)

    I appreciate a few fireworks as much as anyone.  Even the “illegal” ones as long as no damage is done.  HOWEVER, knock it off by midnight, or so.  I live between Schmitz Park and Admiral Way and it did indeed sound like the audio we heard on CNN in the early days of Desert Storm.  Some nearby inconsiderate a-holes kept it going until around 4AM.  It was starting to get light before they finally stopped!  Pets, small children, and those that had  to get up for work today paid the price for their selfish jerk behavior.

    Completely agree any ban is absolutely worthless as long as there’s no enforcement.  Just like the 25 mph speed limits on arterials.  Some people obviously don’t care about anybody but themselves or about being a decent member of the community, and that is why we need laws with some punishment that are actually enforced.  Otherwise, it only reinforces the belief the selfish have that they can do whatever they want, when they want, since they have no self-control.  

  • Kt July 5, 2024 (10:01 am)

    Given the SCOTUS recent decision on Presidential Immunity, maybe people were just going overboard  celebrating our last year of democracy.

  • R July 5, 2024 (10:02 am)

    I live in a neighborhood with lots of tree, houses and idiots that spent thousands of dollars on fireworks, which were very loud and obnoxious.  These people to the delight of their next-door neighbor were setting them off for over 4 hours.  I have never been in a war zone, however this sounded like a war zone.  the one neighbor was comparing the firework to the noise of a forty-year-old truck.

    I am sorry that people with PTSD (veteran’s, immigrants, etc., the various dogs and cats) that suffered through this, trying to find hiding places where they felt safe.

  • Nadmiral July 5, 2024 (10:39 am)

    The fireworks this year were the worst for our frequency and duration in many years! It just went on and on and on. we need to as a city get this stopped.  Also, thank you to the person who wrote in that our air quality was dangerous.. that’s for sure! Also think of what we just did to the planet and the air and the animals that rely on us to keep their world, clean and livable?  That gunpowder falls down into our water., yards and grass to be picked up by our children… it’s extremely toxic and a stupid way to celebrate

    • The King July 5, 2024 (5:47 pm)

      Scientists at the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife have found that mussels in Seattle’s waters are testing positive for opioids.This was in 2018. The entire region isn’t what it seems on the surface 

  • Actually Mike July 5, 2024 (11:12 am)

    Cliff Mass has pictures of this morning’s haze, maps of wildfire activity from last night’s fireworks, and pre / post fireworks air quality reports on his blog this morning–scary stuff, actually: https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2024/07/july-4th-smoke-wildfires-and-white-sky.html

  • Rhonda July 5, 2024 (11:43 am)

    Here in the entire Arbor Heights/Westwood/Roxhill/Seola area we were all treated to the charming, concussive thuds of 5am sunrise mortars just to the northeast. Even the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ lyrics say the rockets and bombs were over by the morning light. These mouth-breathers are surrounded by thousands of sleeping neighbors with jobs and are the epitome of thoughtlessness. 

    • sam-c July 5, 2024 (12:23 pm)

      Yeah, I heard that 5am one this morning too.

  • TAnderson July 5, 2024 (11:55 am)

    Many of WSB readers have expressed concern that the closed road for “Healthy Streets” at Beach Dr. was not necessary and is elitist in that it provides more or less a private beachfront for residents in that little enclave. Last night, apparently, SPD used some of its precious few resources to ensure that no cars drove down that small strip of road when, by many accounts, chaos reined elsewhere on Harbor, Alki, Arbor Heights etc. Imagine if those same two police cars and officers were used where most needed? It might have helped.

    • Rhonda July 5, 2024 (6:17 pm)

      You’re 110% spot-on, TAnderson. Two SPD cruisers and officers for a 1/2-mile stretch of mostly millionaires with view homes is disgusting. ONE of those cruisers patrolling from Salty’s to Spud’s would have made a world of difference with the hotrod burnouts, minors drinking alcohol, motorcycles doing wheelies, etc.

  • anonyme July 5, 2024 (1:06 pm)

    I’m glad people are finally waking up to the environmental and health hazards of the huge volume of illegal fireworks set off annually in this area.  Think also of all that toxic fallout, consisting of heavy metals and carcinogens falling onto your vegetable gardens, and blanketing every surface where kids and pets walk and play.  It just boggles my mind that this issue is so blithely ignored and tolerated by those who have the power to stop it once and for all.

  • Peter S. July 5, 2024 (1:49 pm)

    Since I’m already on a rant, I might as well keep going.  Why oh why are any number of laws that could be easily applied to discharging fireworks, especially at unholy hours, not being enforced?  Is SPD so understaffed that they can only respond to shootings, major accidents, and armed robberies?  Or, were they told to stand down, exclusively focus on traffic control, and be ready for the next full code dispatch?  If so, by whom and why?

      @SPD:  You (understandably) want the community to support, respect, and appreciate what you do?  Then, do your damn job and enforce the law.  Equally and without any discrimination.  Ticket, fine, arrest, and jail if necessary.  There were so many blatant opportunities last night, that shouldn’t be a problem.  Or, if you were told not to, then be honest and explain why.  Same with the street racing.  A few tickets, some hefty fines, arrests, and some impounded cars would probably make a difference.

    @Dear Council Member Saka:  Please find out why and report back.  Your constituents deserve to know the truth.     if really purely due to understaffing, then we as a society need to face the fact that for various  reasons, we’ve made law enforcement a less enticing career and now get to experience the consequences. 

    All of this is from someone who is generally pro-fireworks and an automotive enthusiast. 

    • WSB July 5, 2024 (2:32 pm)

      Five years ago, CM Saka’s predecessor sort of tried:
      https://westseattleblog.com/2019/06/fireworks-still-illegal-in-seattle-but-will-enforcement-or-lack-of-it-be-any-different-this-year/

      WSB is now 17 years old as a news site and I can’t find any archival evidence that there was enforcement in the early years either, which was long before the staffing shortage. The question is even more for Councilmember Bob Kettle, chair of the Public Safety Committee, who speaks often of the “permissive environment” – whether he thinks ignoring fireworks laws are part of it. Also, for all the WS ex-pats who surface in comments so are clearly still reading, does your new municipality, wherever it is, enforce fireworks laws (assuming they’re illegal there too)? – TR

      • Peter S. July 5, 2024 (3:06 pm)

        @TR/WSB:  Thank you for the additional information.  As an essentially life-long WS resident, I can respond to your comment from personal  experience.  You are correct, fireworks laws weren’t rigidly enforced in WS even 30, 40 years ago.  I should know – I was part of the “problem”.  The difference was almost everyone had the sense and common courtesy to stop by around 11PM, and you didn’t want to stick out like a sore thumb or you WOULD get a visit from SPD.  

        The other municipality I’m familiar with is Cle Elum.  Fireworks are technically prohibited there, but there’s a level of tolerance for small stuff to entertain the kids with and folks have the decency to stop at a reasonable hour.  The city used to allow personal fireworks at a large lot  near the railroad tracks, but that stopped several years ago due to increased concern over wildfires.    

    • TAnderson July 5, 2024 (2:48 pm)

      three thumbs up

    • Actually Mike July 5, 2024 (5:05 pm)

      My personal experience has been that going back many years SPD and most city officials have been actively disinterested in hearing or doing anything about illegal fireworks, no matter how hazardous or dangerous the activity–up to and including firing rockets directly at cars and neighbors’ houses. This is clearly a situation fostered and abetted by SPD and our current mayor, going back to his tenure as City Council “Public Safety Chair”. 2024 is just one more blip on the graph.

  • rme July 5, 2024 (2:05 pm)

    Someone is setting them off at Lincoln Park right now — it’s 2pm on the 5th. Really lovely background noise for bringing my toddler to the wading pool. Every time one goes off she looks at me nervously and asks, “sound??” 

    • Alki resident July 5, 2024 (4:56 pm)

      I was there. Two fireworks went off in the park. There’s hundreds of people at the picnic and nobody really flinched when it went off. 

  • Admiral-2009 July 5, 2024 (2:08 pm)

    I’m curious did the City issue any citations for setting off fireworks?

  • gebee July 5, 2024 (4:01 pm)

    I am just curious, how is dealing with the insurance in case of a housefire, if started by fireworks from neighbors? Since insurances are not easy to deal with, what proof do you have to provide?  Any experiences how long such cases are going? 

  • Mark Schletty July 5, 2024 (6:56 pm)

    I’m very curious. Did the rich people who took Constellation Park away from the rest of us have to pay for the cops (probably on overtime) providing guard duty for their street last night. I think most people asking for cops to provide security for an event have to pay the cops salary for the time they provided services. The cops guarding their street were obviously not there to provide services to anyone else as they never left their posts to enforce the laws being clearly broken all around them.

    • Alki resident July 5, 2024 (8:51 pm)

      Excellent question. Would love an answer. 

  • Daniel July 5, 2024 (10:45 pm)

    Emergency response under viewpoint park after several massive fireworks went off.. not sure if there was a fire started or someone was injured 

    Yes this happened tonight despite it being the 5th

    • WSB July 5, 2024 (11:00 pm)

      If you mean High Point, there is a “brush fire” call, only one engine, on High Point Drive. Haven’t heard any traffic on it. Still fireworks over here by Lincoln Park too.

      • Daniel July 7, 2024 (2:58 pm)

        Yeah at viewpoint park in high point, thanks that must’ve been it 

        High point drive is at the pond where everyone sets off fireworks

  • Penny July 6, 2024 (3:01 am)

    What happen on the beach July 4th right before the fireworks started? There were 5 motorcycle cops 5 cop cars a firetruck and a ambulance.?? 

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