On the November ballot, Kent residents will have the opportunity to cast their vote on the use of fireworks in the city.
As with previous years, our fire department was overwhelmed by the number of calls for help. The volume of fire-related calls on the Fourth of July was three times higher than normal. Emergency response times, which can mean the difference between life and death, were significantly delayed.
The Kent Police Department received $12,400 in overtime for increased enforcement. However, it had questionable results. Councilmember Jim Berrios accompanied the police on the Fourth and was taken aback by what he observed. The city’s firework rules were frequently broken and very difficult to enforce. Several large parking lots were littered with illegal fireworks after the Fourth.
Firework bans do work. The Renton fire chief stated, “The fireworks ban is in place to protect citizens and their property, and it is working. Since 2005, we have seen a significant reduction in the number of painful injuries and costly property losses related to the use of fireworks.”
The Renton Fire Department reported they had a relatively quiet Fourth but were kept busy assisting Kent and other cities that did not have a ban.
In addition to public safety, littering and increased costs, fireworks drive our pets nuts and have been shown to adversely affect veterans with PTSD. Kent is an urban city that has no need for fireworks beyond public events. Please vote yes to ban fireworks on the November ballot.
– Jack Nixon
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