MY TURN: Fireworks: Enforce the law or get off the ladder
Some people feel there are more important things to worry about. Nate Doe thinks we should “deal with it” as his momma used to say. Perhaps Nate should speak with the family whose house burned due to fireworks.
Sheriff Robert Norris, along with our fire department last year, supported enforcement of illegal fireworks. The Coeur d'Alene Police Department’s website claims they have increased enforcement efforts and addressed concerns about noise and potential harm to pets and combat war veterans. Clearly Sheriff Norris and the police department have done NO such thing.
Where were the police at the soccer field park off Dalton? Who issued the permit? These fireworks were 50 feet or more in the air. This happens every year. How many houses need to burn before they enforce the law? What part of illegal doesn’t law enforcement understand?
City Code 1.28.010 designates fines and prison time. City Code 8.12.110 prohibits fireworks on public property. Robert Knapp asks, “How far up the ladder do we have to go for someone to listen to us?” Here’s the ladder. The buck stops here, Robert.
Following is a list, for anyone interested in enforcing our fireworks law, to call, write or email the following. Doing so NOW, may enlighten these people to do their jobs next year. Tell them about your trials and tribulations you experience every year. (Cut these numbers out for future reference.)
• Sheriff Robert Norris, 5500 N. Government Way, Coeur d'Alene. Phone: 208-446-1300, Fax: 208-446-1308
• Coeur d'Alene Police Department, Chief of Police Lee White, 3818 Schreiber Way, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815. Phone: 208-769-2308, and/or file an online police report. Click on: “I Want to,” take pictures of illegal activities or videotape for evidence.
• Coeur d'Alene Police Department, Patrol Division, 208-769-2320, email: cdapolice@cdaid.org, fax: 208-769-2229
• City of Coeur d'Alene, 710 E. Mullan Ave., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814. Mayor Jim Hammond, 208-666-5754. Fax: 208-769-2366
• City of Coeur d'Alene Council Members: Dan Gookin 208-667-5200, Amy Evans 208-819-1349, Dan English 208-819-5274, Christie Wood 208-819-1349, Woody McEvers 208-691-5303, Kiki Miller 208-661-7778
• City of Coeur d'Alene, Phone: 208-769-2367, Attn: Troy Tymesen, City Administrator, 208-769-2367 or troy@cdaid.org. His duty is to facilitate the goals and policies as set by the mayor and city council to improve the quality of life in Coeur d'Alene.
If these people ignore your request, it’s time for them to fall off the ladder come election time.
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JoAnn Lokken is a Coeur d'Alene resident.