If the fine for possession and/or use of illegal fireworks were high enough – and publicized widely – I think that would cut down substantially on the use of dangerous types of fireworks. The elderly and pets are especially traumatized by these explosions.
If the city can condone an automatic $125 fine for anyone traveling 21 mph near O’Brien-Neely Elementary School, then a $500 fine for people in possession of, or use of, illegal fireworks doesn’t seem outrageous at all.
Those fines could go toward first-responder costs across the board – or even be used for non-valley-floor transportation projects (those not on the infamous list), instead of hounding voters every election season to help carry the financial load for the commercial businesses with large trucks that tear up city streets and roads. The City Council and Chamber of Commerce hate the business and occupation (B&O) tax, so maybe they could get behind a fireworks ban.
If Kent was known for a really high penalty for offenders, the word would get around that it’s not a good idea to risk it here – and maybe it’s a better idea to take the family to Lake Meridian or one of the other sanctioned fireworks displays in the Seattle-Tacoma area.
The problem with trying to report fireworks explosions is that: 1, it’s not always clear where they are coming from (especially at night when no one wants to leave their home in the dark to investigate); and 2, 911, the police and fire departments are not equipped to respond to all the many calls they receive.
If just one person/child could be spared injury from these unnecessary disturbances, it would be well worth the wrath of the offending few. These loud explosions have nothing to do with celebrating American independence – and more to do with young males wanting to blow things up.
– Sandra Gill
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