As I write this on July 9, we have endured nine nights of fireworks exploding in our local park, (“Portland’s fireworks ban remains in effect before, during and after July Fourth,” June 24). This has interrupted much-needed sleep, stressed out neighborhood pets and veterans, and impacted wildlife. And who cleans up this mess? Not the pyromaniacs.
If this were one night we would groan and bear it, but seriously – nine nights? Some may call it fun or patriotism - a selfish form of it, if you ask me. I call it vandalism and dangerous. We live near Gabriel Park, and it’s obvious that this has become a gathering spot for knuckleheads.
All this in the middle of a heat wave, with fire danger increasing daily.
I have tried in vain to call the non-emergency number, which had hold times of more than 20 minutes. I tried to fill in an online report form which was not set up with fireworks in mind. Our neighbors to the north in Vancouver have a much better system in place, and friends there tell us it is extremely effective.
The city bans all forms of fireworks, with a minimum $500 fine. Clark County Emergency Services has a phone line in place for reporting violations, and a dedicated online form for reporting them. With the funds raised from the fines, I suspect that this program would pay for itself and then some. And fireworks are expensive! We can hardly feel sorry for those required to pay a fine.
Mary Anne Cassin, Portland
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