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Well it’s that time of year again when we celebrate the independence of the greatest nation in the world, the good old US of A. I know this because the true symbols of the season have been popping up like mushrooms on an over watered lawn, the fireworks stands. Well that, and I also own a calendar.
I also know this because every year, about this time, the people with the illegal fireworks start testing out their wares. During the last few weeks every evening we have been treated to numerous explosions and whistles of skyrockets whizzing by. It has had one benefit in that we have been given a preview as to what to expect from our new dog, Ruby, when the 4th of July actually gets here. I think I’m going to need some doggie downers to get through that night.
I know that there is really no way to stem the tide of illegal fireworks in this area. Sure there are busts that go on all the time, like the one that just happened in El Monte this week. In case you missed it, the police found close to $200,000 worth of fireworks and approximately $13,000 in cash. The people they arrested didn’t even realize the magnitude of their endeavors until the police slapped the handcuffs on them.
Their shock in being arrested only emphasizes most people’s attitude towards illegal fireworks. I have known people for years that use illegal fireworks every year on the 4th of July and treat it as if it was nothing different than going to the local fireworks stand.
And why shouldn’t they? I mean let’s be honest here. The only time we are made aware of the presence of illegal fireworks are during the couple of weeks leading up to Independence Day. Demonstrations of exploding watermelons and mannequins are fun to watch but are hardly a deterrent. The fire and police departments can use the news media in the weeks leading up to the 4th of July all they want to stem their use, but by that point it’s a little late. If I’m not mistaken the smugglers of illegal goods don’t really follow the seasons. Most people who were going to buy them have already purchased them far ahead of time.
I love fireworks. Every year I go buy my fair share at the National Little League stand, conveniently located in Ralphs parking lot on Las Tunas Drive in Temple City. I love lighting them off with the kids. But to be honest I would buy them and have a little show even if I didn’t have kids. While the ones you can buy at the stands are not as dramatic as the aerial ones there are many that are awesome AND LEGAL. If you can’t be satisfied with what you can buy at the stands, go to the Rose Bowl or one of the other professional shows. That’s what they are there for.
As a case in point as to how most people are not equipped to deal with anything but the safe and sane type of fireworks let me tell you what happened last year. While at a gathering, where the majority of fireworks were legal, one of the parents had purchased a bunch of illegal fireworks somewhere while traveling through the Midwest, where I am assuming they were legal.
As usual, the fireworks were done in the street in front of the house. One of the illegals that suddenly appeared is what you call a mortar. If you are unfamiliar with fireworks, it is like a mini canon that aims straight up and is used in launching aerial displays that are usually reserved for professional fireworks shows. After a few of these things were launched I was amazed that the fire department or police didn’t show up. This house was located only one block away from the fire department, but they were probably busy putting out house fires started by other aerial fireworks.
How this mortar works is that you light the projectile, drop it in a tube and with a loud boom it shoots straight up in the air. As this little display continued I was becoming more and more uncomfortable and so were others in attendance. Then it happened. One of the parents, in an attempt to fire off the mortar, lit the firework and in his hurry to get away from it knocked it over.
As I mentioned, the fireworks were in the street. Of course this meant that the front lawn was full of people sitting in blankets and chairs. Unfortunately, when the mortar tipped over it was aiming directly for the center of the crowd. I barely had time to yell, “look out” when the mortar fired off. Luckily everyone was pretty quick on their feet and while a couple of people were grazed, nobody was seriously hurt.
As I gathered my family and got the hell out of there it suddenly struck me that the guy who brought the illegal fireworks wasn’t shooting them off at his house. I guess that way he had no responsibility if someone got hurt.
Every year the use of illegal fireworks escalates. I know it’s tough to catch somebody who is shooting off these types of fireworks. The police would have to be at the right place at the right time to see the point of origin, but is has to be a group effort. If you see a group of drunken buffoons who think they have a degree in pyrotechnics shooting these things off, call the police because they are gambling with your safety.
It will only be a matter of time before some clown with too much beer in him lands one of these things on somebody’s roof and it could be yours.
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