An incendiary debate

Eliminating fireworks in Costa Mesa would not fix any problems. If

the city did eliminate fireworks, it would force people to go to

Mexico and get illegal fireworks, thus creating more problems. In the

Daily Pilot, it said there were about five firework-related fires,

and only one of them where someone was hurt. If the city banned

fireworks that number would expand exponentially. Fourth of July is

my favorite holiday. Hopefully, the City Council will not spoil the

fun everyone has on the Fourth of July.

TAYLOR LOBDELL

Costa Mesa

News from the trenches:

As I write this letter, a loud firecracker just exploded in my

neighborhood. What irony. I am ready to have Costa Mesa ban fireworks

and have been for years now. My Eastside neighborhood turns into a

“war zone” from approximately two weeks before the Fourth until a

week after. My son was burned by a “Safe & Sane” sparkler when a

small explosion sent a large spark into his eye, burning his eyelid.

That was four years ago, and I’ve not purchased fireworks since. In

fact, I make sure my family is out of the neighborhood, as spending

time here on the Fourth is no longer enjoyable or safe. Neither is

driving home late in the evening, dodging fireworks in the street or

having “ground bloom flowers” -- among other legal fireworks --

thrown at your moving automobile.

The legal fireworks serve as a “gateway” for illegal fireworks in

our city. I call my neighborhood a war zone because of the illegal

fireworks being set off. An assortment of skyrockets and bombs are

set off day and night leading to the Fourth and beyond. It is my

feeling the legal fireworks serve as an OK to the residents and

visitors’ minds for any fireworks -- legal and illegal. Essentially,

the illegal fireworks hide behind the legal ones.

This year’s Fourth was the last straw for me: While leaving my

home on the evening of the Fourth at 6:45 p.m., my car’s hood was

struck by a large falling skyrocket, denting it. I’m sure it was

fired off by neighbors across the street, as they had been lighting

the same illegal fireworks all afternoon. Calling the Costa Mesa

Police Department did no good, either, as they have to catch the

criminals “red handed.” I actually find it hard to believe there

aren’t more house fires, as these illegal skyrockets have to land

somewhere.

There are plenty of other opportunities for charitable groups to

make money with other, safer fund-raisers. It is time the city wakes

up to the dangers, stops the “unsafe and insane” fireworks, and joins

the majority of other Orange County cities by making all fireworks

illegal. Get the legal fireworks out so the illegal ones will have no

place to hide.

DAVID SINGER

Costa Mesa