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Neighbor News

Fireworks/Safety/Solution?

Are you upset over the current Dearborn Fireworks policy? Read on for a possible solution, and comment with your own ideas.

This note was in response to a letter to the editor by David Malhalab in Dbn Hts, who also took the pic.

Shooting off fireworks is going to happen whether we pass laws or not. Folk used to drive to OHIO for fireworks, now we get the sales, and sales tax revenue. Note that fireworks are shot off whether Snyder was involved or not, or whatever laws are in place, or not. Before the laws, for large firework parties, there was the 'wink wink' method. Just invite the firechief, a couple of police to the party, and use common sense in setting them off, usually , like in the pic above, in a sand pit with remote ignitors. Don't understand any of that stuff? You are not educated enough in safety procedures, read up on how to safely set them off.!! Now the 'wink' is no longer needed as fireworks are legal. That does not make folk smarter. Accidents still happen. Safety is needed when lighting fireworks. That is common sense. Instilling common sense into folk is the variable. Would you light one of those rockets like the one in the pic, aim it at yourself, and be surprised at the outcome? The guy in Detroit did exactly that in his driveway. Why did he do such a foolish act? You can't outlaw stupidity. He could have mis-aimed, and killed one of his 4 kids instead. The solution? A safe place to set off fireworks rather than in the driveway or at your neighbor's house. Snyder and the state of Michigan need to pass a law that allows the use of activity fields, large school parking lots, and city parks for the shooting of fireworks by local residents. Right now, it is against the law. That way, fireworks are away from residential areas, police can monitor the activity, and when 11PM comes around, they can shut the parks/areas down. Tell the city councils to contact the State about passing legislation to allow the safe use of fireworks on designated public areas. They can't read minds, we, the public, need to inform our city and State representatives of our concerns. We have a right to use public property to ensure our safety and protect our neighborhoods.

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