Lawrence Police respond to more than 80 fireworks complaints / LJWorld.com

Archive for Monday, July 7, 2008

A few minutes of the Fourth of July firework celebration at Sesquicentennial Point near Clinton Lake.

July 7, 2008

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Even though fireworks are illegal within the Lawrence city limits, that didn't stop some residents from shooting them off.

On July 4th alone, Lawrence police said the department received 85 calls regarding fireworks.

From early Friday morning to 9 p.m. there were 34 calls.

From 9 p.m. to midnight there were 51 complaints.

The street with the most fireworks complaints was Tennessee Street with five calls.

Discussion

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7 July 2008
at 6 p.m.

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Larzia (Jake Esau) says…

I have a brilliant idea… stop complaining and celebrate our country's birth!
7 July 2008
at 6:39 p.m.

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Guardian (Anonymous) says…

As I recall, it was Fire Department officials that pushed the fireworks ban in the name of our own safety. Once again, the government has taken it upon itself to decide what it thinks is best for us. I find it ironic that we allow the government to legislate its every desire on us on the anniversary of our independence from a country that legislated its every desire on us.
7 July 2008
at 6:43 p.m.

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beobachter (Anonymous) says…

so we have at least 80 law breakers.
7 July 2008
at 6:49 p.m.

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Buggie7 (Anonymous) says…

Eudora rocked for 3 days. We have no ban here and omg. It was endless. I just moved here from Lawrence in the country and after Thursday night remembered what it is I love about being n the country lol. It was a nice celebration I just sure wasnt used to it for Thurs Fri and Sat. At least the people here were considerate and cleaned up after themselves for the most part. I even saw older kids in the streets with brooms cleaning up. Lawrence is too selfish when it comes to holidays in general. They ( city fire dept whomeever) like to dictate too much on what people should and shouldnt do during the holidays. I think Im going to like it here. I have a lot to get used to (ex. loud fireworks on New Years which was neat) but Im going to like it.
7 July 2008
at 7:17 p.m.

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greenworld (Anonymous) says…

Move to Jefferson County. Fireworks here go on year round and everybody just goes on about there happy way. Also my neighbor was trying to tell me that Maryj was also allowed. lol
7 July 2008
at 7:44 p.m.

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Piggles (Anonymous) says…

I went to the show in Eudora friday night and people were shooting all kinds of fireworks all over the neighborhood by the high school. When the show was over and we were returning to Lawrence- it was weird to leave Eudora and fireworks booming right and left and 10 minutes later when we got into Lawrence- nothing was going on. Maybe a stray roman candle here and there. A tale of two cities one big one small- one having fun- one not!
7 July 2008
at 7:48 p.m.

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Confrontation (Anonymous) says…

Feel free to burn down your own homes. Everyone thinks he's an expert. Just ask those people whose lives have been ruined by idiots with fireworks.

7 July 2008
at 7:56 p.m.

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spacystaci8 (Anonymous) says…

my neighbor kids are still shooting fireworks off. God I love living in a small town that doesn't tell you how to wipe your butt. My dog craps in the yard freely, when it rains its gone. Too many rules in Lawrence. Too much gov't control is never a good thing
7 July 2008
at 8:07 p.m.

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OTSSweeper (Anonymous) says…

Spacy,We don't care which hand you use as long as you wash them for at least 30 seconds afterward…and use plenty of soap
7 July 2008
at 8:31 p.m.

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somebodynew (Anonymous) says…

OK- I hate to do this (and will probably have to never post here again), but can someone rationally explain just how personal fireworks celebrates our countrys birth ??? I grew up “back East” in a state where fireworks were simple illegal except for professional displays, and I have never had a problem thinking about and celebrating this great country.Besides that, I doubt most adults spend any time explaining this to the kids who blindly shoot off whatever they have without a thought about why, other than it is fun. And obviously the adults don't bother to teach them the concept of cleaning up, or safety so you don't start fires.Let the ranting begin…….
7 July 2008
at 8:35 p.m.

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beobachter (Anonymous) says…

somebodynew, if you aren't an ignorant redneck, you won't understand the need to act like one.
7 July 2008
at 8:44 p.m.

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somebodynew (Anonymous) says…

And just why am I either ignorant or a redneck because I ask a question??? This is what I love about this forum.
7 July 2008
at 8:45 p.m.

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Buggie7 (Anonymous) says…

somebodynew- Your right you dont have to ever post here again. That was stupid. I lived in Virginia as well and if you think they arent going off there as well you were in a fog of something growing up. As I said in my earlier post I was glad to see so many young ones out here in Eudora with their parents I might add sweeping and picking up the debris. I also thought it was cute to see a lot of them with lil american flags waving them around and alot of them had american flags or something american on their tshirts. I think you need to open your eyes cause I think you are seeing what your crabby a** wants to see.I grew up with miss spacy and as always she has a wonderful sense if getting things out there for all to hear. Cheers to you my spacy staci
7 July 2008
at 8:47 p.m.

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beobachter (Anonymous) says…

thought i provided the explanation for the personal fireworks. Just plain ignorance.
7 July 2008
at 8:54 p.m.

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jackbinkelman (Anonymous) says…

You're You're You'reYou areget it?!!!

7 July 2008
at 8:56 p.m.

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Bunny_Hotcakes (Anonymous) says…

Confrontation (Anonymous) says:Feel free to burn down your own homes. Everyone thinks he's an expert. Just ask those people whose lives have been ruined by idiots with fireworks.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*THIS. Your personal freedoms to blow crap up in celebration of our freedom ends where my freedom to not have my house burned down or my cars damaged begins.We were in Topeka for the 4th. I've never missed the Lawrence fireworks ban more. From the looks of things, the people with the biggest piles of stuff to blow up were the ones who could least afford it. I liked to measure the explosions in gallons of gas. What a ridiculous waste of money.
7 July 2008
at 8:56 p.m.

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Guardian (Anonymous) says…

“thought i provided the explanation for the personal fireworks. Just plain ignorance.”Another classic example of the “I don't like it so it has to be wrong” Elitist attitude from Liberalville.
7 July 2008
at 8:58 p.m.

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labmonkey (Anonymous) says…

Beobatcher once again calls people who don't agree with him ignorant. Arrogant putz.Although I don't agree with firework bans, they do have their upside. I heard nothing by popping all day here in Bonner, and it lasted until well past 1am. I say allow them, and have strict cutoff time at 10pm.
7 July 2008
at 8:59 p.m.

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beobachter (Anonymous) says…

guardian, care to provide a valid answer to somebodynew's question?
7 July 2008
at 9:06 p.m.

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Newell_Post (Anonymous) says…

De gustibus non est disputandum
7 July 2008
at 9:18 p.m.

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rcs3 (Anonymous) says…

I'm all for people shooting off their own fireworks. Its one of my favorite traditions after growing up in NW Kansas. I have to admit I'm a bit of a pyro myself. What I don't understand is why my neighbors felt the need to completely litter my driveway, just because I was away from the house and not have the decency to clean it up. Blow things up, but clean up after yourself!
7 July 2008
at 9:19 p.m.

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Guardian (Anonymous) says…

I would, but the sentiment is different for each person. There are those who have no idea what Independence Day is about, and that is a reflection of our education system. My interpretation is that fireworks are a common and traditional thread to most major celebrations in this country and elsewhere. We should be celebrating the fact that we, at least for the time being, live in a free country. Our forefathers fought and died to deliver this nation from an oppressive government. The fireworks are symbolic of that struggle and to honor those who paid the ultimate price for maintaining that freedom since 1776. I will also refresh your memory of a snippet of the Star Spangled Banner-you know, the National Anthem that Obama refuses to honor when it's played. Francis Scott Key was inspired when he saw our flag still standing from the light of the “rockets' red glare” and “the bombs bursting in air.”So, that is why I prefer to have personal fireworks allowed.
7 July 2008
at 9:30 p.m.

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JJE007 (Anonymous) says…

It's not the meat. It's the motion….I hear…It's not about what the 4rth IS, it's about the tradition that's been handed down to the down and about.

7 July 2008
at 9:41 p.m.

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Bamastreet (Anonymous) says…

Eudorkans braggin' about their town. Too funny. Shoot 'em up boys, just remember when you woke up on the 5th, you were still living in freakin' Eudora. Bummer.
7 July 2008
at 9:46 p.m.

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riverdrifter (Anonymous) says…

I wasn't here this year, but from all reports, Baldwin City is still Dodge City when it comes to fireworks. The place, as usual, erupted on the 4th. No houses are reported to have burned down and no child had his hand blown off from a firecracker or an eye put out from a bottle rocket. Lawrence, glad you're so safe from this safety spectre for another year. Beo, you probably don't have the 'nads to light a ladyfinger. Sheeiit.
7 July 2008
at 10:05 p.m.

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Buggie7 (Anonymous) says…

and proud of it Bama. you stay in Lawrence and thats fine for you. I am stating that the sky was beautiful this holiday. Dont down a town that you do not currently live it butt munch
7 July 2008
at 10:20 p.m.

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whtevr30 (Anonymous) says…

Well I think we all should fight to bring fireworks back to Lawrence!! I have lived here all my life and I can remember wonderful 4th of July's where family's got together Cooked out and then shot off fireworks with neighbors. It was wonderful. We will always have the grumpy people who don't like it or think is going to burn down their house but come on thats life. Live a little! I don't like stuffy Lawrence anymore makes me want to move. Its kinda sad. What are we going to do next ban Christmas lights they start house fires to. Just saying!!!! :(
7 July 2008
at 10:50 p.m.

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RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Anonymous) says…

Can you even still grill in Lawrence? Didn't the fire department ban grills?
7 July 2008
at 11:51 p.m.

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DaREEKKU (Anonymous) says…

Quit being overly dramatic queens. Fireworks are a safety issue….period. A large portion of you people can't even use a car properly and you want me to feel safe while you handle gunpowder?? Does anybody else think it's ironic that we “celebrate” the “birth” of our nation with items that are imported (sometimes illegally) from China? Aaaaahhhh capitalist pigs at their finest……
8 July 2008
at 12:37 a.m.

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inatux (Anonymous) says…

It's one thing to shoot off fireworks, I don't really mind that. But when it gets to be 11 p.m., well, I just find that rude.
8 July 2008
at 7 a.m.

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gr (Anonymous) says…

“THIS. Your personal freedoms to blow crap up in celebration of our freedom ends where my freedom to not have my house burned down or my cars damaged begins.”Bunny cakes, Shooting fireworks has nothing to do with making it ok to burn someone's house down. What about smoking? Should we eliminate that? What about cars crashing into houses - should we eliminate them, too?Instead of eliminating all potential possibilities of damage, why not make it simple and hold people accountable for destroying someone's house whether from fireworks, smoking, cars, baseballs, rocks, etc.?

8 July 2008
at 8:50 a.m.

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jumpin_catfish (Anonymous) says…

Being rude is the new cool. Fireworks are like smoking its my right and I don't care who it bothers or hurts. I have an old friend who blew half his hand off with a M80 when we were kids. I wonder what he thinks about fireworks today, I imagine he's not a big fan.
8 July 2008
at 9:02 a.m.

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fu7il3 (Anonymous) says…

“A celebration of American freedom, brought to you by cheap labor in the Communist China that so many Americans claim to revile.”I thought this was great, but everyone glossed over it. People are saying that the Olympics should be boycotted, that China must be stopped, criticizing the president, of whom I am no fan, for going to the Olympic ceremonies, yet no one seems to have any problem giving their own personal money to China for fireworks.
8 July 2008
at 9:26 a.m.

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ksdivakat (Anonymous) says…

Whose house burned down from the fireworks??
8 July 2008
at 9:55 a.m.

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jafs (Anonymous) says…

Amen, benny.
8 July 2008
at 10:47 a.m.

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Poon (Anonymous) says…

Lawrence Police respond to more than 80 fireworks complaintsWhen I saw this headline, all I could thing was “good grief even the fireworks complain in this town these days”“Oh, no, here comes Jack with a punk. Oww, that is hot, fuse is on fire” (Blam!). “Oh, wow, what a view…I can see the Wetlands, and the roundabouts, and the dirty bird…”
8 July 2008
at 10:50 a.m.

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Poon (Anonymous) says…

7 July 2008 at 10:50 p.m.Suggest removal Permalinkreticent_irreverent (Anonymous) says: Can you even still grill in Lawrence? Didn't the fire department ban grills?Well, I dunno, but in Larryville nothing would surprise me. I now introduce the “has it been banned in Lawrence yet” test.Question 1. Could this activity be considered fun?A. YesB. NoIf yes, we can assume that it has been banned.
8 July 2008
at 10:52 a.m.

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Poon (Anonymous) says…

7 July 2008 at 7:17 p.m.Suggest removal Permalinkgreenworld (Anonymous) says: Move to Jefferson County. Fireworks here go on year round and everybody just goes on about there happy way. Also my neighbor was trying to tell me that Maryj was also allowed. lolI am on my way…
8 July 2008
at 11:08 a.m.

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geniusmannumber1 (Anonymous) says…

ksdivakat (Anonymous) says:Whose house burned down from the fireworks??Bradford Square apartments, 2001. As one example.http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2002/apr/16/lawrence_reviews_fireworks/It's unwarranted government interference, or nanny statism, when the government interferes with your right to burn your own house down. When the government intervenes to keep you from burning my house down…that's just good government.

8 July 2008
at 11:17 a.m.

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ksdivakat (Anonymous) says…

genius, I read the story and heres what I found in your story…..”Dan Bloom owns the Bradford Square Apartments at 501 Colo., which burned last year. He said damage repairs are almost complete, but that his insurance company has paid nearly $500,000 in the fire's aftermath.Still, he said he doesn't want fireworks banned, You just need to be responsible,” Bloom said.”******************************************************************Maybe there is a happy medium that lawrence can come to, such as allowing people to shoot them off in specified places, if you dont know someone who lives in the country then where are you to shoot them off at?I think that a compromise would better fit with lawrence, if homeowners are scared their house will burn, (and they have every right to feel that way, it is their house) and the city placed this ban on them, obviously the ban isnt working, as every neighbor down my street fired them off, then compromise and come up with a place to do it.I seen alot of people at broken arrow park shooting them off and alot of people sitting in lawn charis just watching. I think a compromise would be a good solution to the problem.
8 July 2008
at 11:36 a.m.

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deskboy04 (Anonymous) says…

You can't smoke, shoot fireworks, or build a trafficway. That is what the majority of the people have decided…oh wait, a majority of the people wanted to build the trafficway. Did they ever have a citywide vote on fireworks? I forgot.
8 July 2008
at 12:43 p.m.

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Poon (Anonymous) says…

Okay, I will move to Jeff Co and enjoy my Murican celebration, and you can move to Yurp, deal?
8 July 2008
at 12:43 p.m.

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otto (Anonymous) says…

Lawrence Police respond to more than 80 fireworks complaints –-How many citations were issued?My guess = zeroFireworks are legal after all Lawrence. YoooHoooooo
8 July 2008
at 12:46 p.m.

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Poon (Anonymous) says…

Benny, my “naive endorsement of Jefferson County” had nothing to do with the news this morning. And as for the collective IQ of Lawrence - well, ya gotta love the open-mindedness of the left.
8 July 2008
at 4:53 p.m.

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gr (Anonymous) says…

If people can supposedly ingest poison “responsibly” which is known to cause them and others harm, why can't they use fireworks responsibly which the last house to burn which anyone remembers was six years ago?
8 July 2008
at 6:37 p.m.

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spacystaci8 (Anonymous) says…

All you Lawrence rule lovers I shake my head in your general direction. Just because you light a firework doesn't mean a house instantly burns down. Heck houses burn down all the time from electrical problems, should we quit using electricity? Besides tree huggers, dog poop is biodegradeable anyway. What about the plastic bags you are picking up Fido's turds with?
8 July 2008
at 9:14 p.m.

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TacoBob (Anonymous) says…

Lawrence……the city where nothing is allowed!