…on how much they’re actually going to enforce the fireworks laws locally, especially after making a point to tell everybody they’re going to?
As everybody knows, the 4th of July is one of my least favorite holidays, as I live about two blocks from Pilot Butte, which they set on fire around this time every year. Which means I’m right in the middle of where everybody goes to party, get drunk, and shoot off a crapload of illegal fireworks. Generally speaking, I don’t mind the illegal fireworks, if they are used safely and properly (meaning not in the middle of a dense residential neighborhood). But who does that, minus the folks shooting them off the Butte (and even they catch acres of land on fire)? Nobody is safe — they’re too beered-up. I spend the entire evening watching bottle rockets and other flying projectiles land in my yard, worrying that they’ll catch something on fire. Considering how dry this area is, and how fires are already burning up around eastern Oregon, I won’t be surprised at all to see a fireworks-caused fire this year.
But sadly, I don’t envision their newfound willingness to enforce actually changing anything. These laws have been on the books for years, and they haven’t stopped anybody in my neighborhood at all, nor have I ever seen a law enforcement presence (and yes, I have called before when I feared fire).
So, anybody want to make any bets on how many fireworks citations they’ll give out this year? I’m willing to bet it’ll be less than 10.
Comments
I’ll take the bet.
Gary Marshall (BFD) and Jim Porter (BPD) have been meeting with the Neighborhood Associations for months to discuss this plan. Alot of work has already been done, coordination with non emergency dispatch–and a record number of officers (and dispatchers) will be on duty this 4th of July. As well, its been coordinated that if you have a street (read: neighbor) who historically closes off the street to fire off illegals they will be monitoring those locations with extra diligence. Add unmarked patrols along with this scenario.
NE Bend is historically a neighborhood that sees a huge presence of illegal fireworks, I think that we’ll begin to see a bit of balance with enforcement. Its a first year effort and already Bend is getting a lot of inquiries from other communities wanting to see how this works out. So I think the BPD and BFD will be out to make a difference from the get go.
Just crank up that new sprinkler system!
Yeah, I am a bit skeptical about how many people are going to get caught. With any of the stuff that is launched into the air, it’s going to be hard to know exactly where it came from. Plus, with the general noise of the night, it’s not easy to isolate certain loud noises either.
And another bonus, it’s a Friday night! More people won’t have to work the next day.
I, too live within spitting distance of Pilot Butte. I really like this area- it’s a safe and friendly little neighborhood. Sure, once a year it sounds like downtown Beirut, but I’m more worried about wasting police department resources on teenagers with roman candles rather than protecting the busy street I live on from drunk/ stoned drivers.
Be Safe Today
I’ve mentioned before how much I love the Fourth of July.</sarcasm>, but no matter your thoughts on it (I’d enjoy it if I didn’t fear my house wouldn’t burn down),…