Dear Editor:
We are writing this letter to express our desire to continue
having
”
safe and sane
”
fireworks for sale for the Fourth of July.
Dear Editor:
We are writing this letter to express our desire to continue having “safe and sane” fireworks for sale for the Fourth of July. It seems very clear that the fireworks that are endangering people and property are not the ones sold legally at the stands. Illegal fireworks, especially bottle rockets, cause the greatest danger because they can fly in the air and ignite property because of their ability to fly. It is interesting that the police confiscated and stopped many people from using illegal fireworks, but no citations were written.
We need to enforce the laws that exist and stop the use of the fireworks that pose the actual danger to property and people. The Dispatch’s idea of having a “hotline” for anonymous calls reporting illegal fireworks is a great idea.
We need to remember that the Fourth of July is a celebration of our nation’s birth. Why are people who follow the laws and rules being punished once again? This is another example of our society taking away something from one group of people because another group of people are acting in inappropriate ways.
It would be hard to prove to us and most people that by banning “safe and sane’ fireworks, our city will be safer. How can this logic hold up when it’s the illegal fireworks that are causing the problem?
The people who broke the law should have been cited and fined, and citations should have been written. Yes, bottle rockets and other types of firework cause problems and endanger property, but the ones being sold by local organizations are not the type of fireworks that are causing the problem.
We urge the leaders of our city to focus on the real problem which is the use of illegal fireworks. Fireworks are fun for families and create lasting memories for children. Neighborhoods have block parties and law-abiding citizens enjoy this once a year activity with legal fireworks. Banning the sale of legal fireworks will only cause more people to go and buy illegal fireworks since legal one are no longer available.
We really enjoy the city’s fireworks show at Gilroy High School, but we also enjoy doing our own fireworks with our families at home.
We hope that the city leaders will preserve the opportunity for families and individuals to enjoy “safe and sane” fireworks at home.
Gregg and Stephanie Chisolm, Gilroy
Submitted Monday, Aug. 25 to ed****@****ic.com
