FIREWORKS: Enforce the law

Fight Flames With Brains — excellent title that recently was published. Last summer was a horror that no one would wish to endure and with the Fourth of July fireworks, would it not be wise to be just that…wise?

We came across a fire that had just started last summer a few days before the 4th and if we had only had a jug of water with us we could have stopped it spreading up the hill on the west side of north 15th Street (we now carry three gallon containers in each car). Thankfully, the driver coming up the hill saw it as well and had already phoned the fire department. Was it intentional, a tossed cigarette? We will never know. What we do know is that when this area’s grasses and timber are dry and temperatures above normal without rain, a wise decision concerning fireworks should be the first priority!

We were shocked to read in the paper that the commissioners were advising citizens to “use common sense.” Really? Those who sell, purchase and then set off illegal fireworks do not have common sense or regard for our forests or for the safety of anyone. Stupid decision made on that call!

Our first summer here, our neighborhood was terrorized for weeks by illegal fireworks. My husband even searched out the origin and found it and called a complaint in. Officer’s discretion ruled that call. That happened to be the seventh at that home that night, and there were no charges or penalty. Is that a wise action when there are laws that need to be enforced without opportunity of “officer’s discretion?”

One does not need a college class to make wise decisions about fireworks, however it would seem that enforcing codes or laws is not a popular action to take here in Coeur d’Alene. Time to start using brains and enforce and uphold the laws. No consequences for destructive actions only leads to the freedom to engage in more crime.

Wisdom can only produce the best action of caring for our natural resources. Choose wisdom for a fire-free and safe summer for those who respect Tubbs Hill and area hiking trails. Additionally, pet owners would not be driven to the point of sedating their pets and the concerns that itself brings.

BETTY J. MARTIN

Coeur d’Alene