I need to convey my deep disappointment in both the Sheriff’s Office and the local fire department regarding fireworks.

I live in Bayview Estates, off Silver Lake Road northeast of Oak Harbor (outside the city limits). On the days leading up to and including the 4th of July, and for days afterwards, and again every few days since, I and my neighbors have been subject to barrages of illegal fireworks. These included, as far as I could tell, bottle rockets, firecrackers, larger explosive devices (some as loud as grenades, and I do know what those sound like).

I’ve called the police no less than six times, and the problem continues. It would seem that the “Celebrate Safely, Celebrate Legally” campaign is only a slogan, and has no bite to it.

While I was typing this e-mail, a sheriff’s deputy showed up and went to talk with the people involved. Talk has not worked in the past. I really don’t know what else to do. If the police can’t do anything about this fire and noise hazard when it is pointed out to them time and time again, then thereis nothing else I can do.

On the 5th, I e-mailed the Deputy State Fire Marshall about my frustration, here is his response:

Dear Mr. Alberts:

I am responsible for managing the fireworks licensing for the state. Sadly I must agree with your comments. The fireworks law in the state is broken. The State Fire Marshal is going to call for a Blue Ribbon Task Force to study the issue and provide a report to him for possible Agency sponsored legislation next session.

– Larry Glenn, Deputy State Fire Marshal.

I have to disagree that the law is broken, it is the attitude of local enforcement that is broken.