Fireworks a concern for this taxpayer

In response to Gary Spencer’s July 8 column (“Where was the help?”),

here I am, another “senior,” age 66, living on the Eastside of Costa

Mesa, complaining about fireworks in the city.

My question to Spencer is, aren’t your parents and grandparents

seniors as well? I guess my 50 years of paying taxes, serving my

community and working and living in Costa Mesa doesn’t give me the

right to be against fireworks, either legal or otherwise. Not only

does my dog shake, my frightened cats hide, and I am fearful and

disturbed by the explosions.

I water down the yard and house, and I stay indoors wondering if

the smell of acrid smoke is my house, car or yard furniture.

My neighbors, family and friends leave their safe-and-sane cities

to party on my street for the Fourth because then they can bring

their fireworks. Unfortunately, they also leave behind their debris.

It is on my roof, yard, sidewalk and car.

I am not talking about “Screaming Willies;” they are bad enough. I

am talking about illegal fireworks like M-80’s, explosions,

concussions, feeling vibrations, deafening sounds, sounds of a war

zone. Get your head out of the sand, Spencer. You can’t tell me you

haven’t heard them as well.

Regarding the editorial “A Fourth of July to enjoy,” also on July

8, for the first time in more than 50 years, I felt forced to leave

the city overnight. I feared for the safety of my home but feared the

possible effects of illegal and legal fireworks plaguing my city,

block, sanity and well-being for the last few weeks, knowing full

well the Fourth would be worse, if that was possible.

After several calls, a police officer finally came to my home the

night of July 3. The officer said that once the culprits are

identified, the first step is a verbal warning, next step is taking

away any remaining fireworks, third a citation. Wonder if the 40

citations you quoted are the result of three episodes of reporting.

No wonder our police can’t keep up with all the calls -- that would

be 160 visits to the same offenders! The officer assured me that

additional forces would be on patrol the Fourth. When I asked how

many, he said two additional cars.

Why is the law regarding fireworks allowed to be broken? What has

happened to compassion for fellow man? What has happened to

sensitivity to all age groups? What has happened to concern for our

children and those who may be infirmed?

If you are another concerned resident reading this, share your

concerns with your city council, police chief, fire chief. What are

you waiting for? Does some child or adult have to be maimed? Speak

up, fellow neighbors, friends, family.

JUDY LINDSAY

Costa Mesa