To Council We Did Go!

A group consisting of nine (9) residents of our City who support the efforts of Freedom From Fireworks in Bellingham voiced their concerns about fireworks at Monday evening's City Council Meeting during it's Public Comment Period.  Check it out at http://www.cob.org/services/education/btv10/videos/council/2013-01-28-council-meeting.aspx.   This group's Public Comments come early in the video (between 2:30 and 31:00).  You should also check out Mayor Linville's comments during the Mayor's Report toward the end of the meeting (from 112:00).  Later . . .

To Council We Shall Go!

At long last, some good things are starting to happen relative to the fireworks problem here in Bellingham, in part because of this year's New Years illegal fireworks barrages.  Apparently, lots of folks contacted members of the Bellingham City Council regarding these barrages and some Council members responded.  The "rumor" is that Council will to bring this situation forward for discussion this year.  This is where we need to personally engage members of City government.  And here's how:  Early on at each City Council meeting, members of the public are welcome, in 3-minutes time slots, to speak to the Mayor and Council members about whatever is on their minds.  So, on Monday evening, January 28th, to council we shall go: a group of residents of our City who support the efforts of Freedom From Fireworks in Bellingham will be voicing their concerns about fireworks during that evening's Public Comment period.  Later . . .

New Years Illegal Fireworks

     Here are excepts from a couple of recent postings to Mayor Kelli, City Council Members, the Bellingham Police Department and the Bellingham Fire Department:

"New Year Greetings to All,

      Last June, representatives of the Bellingham Police and Fire Department and of the City Attorney's Office made a presentation to the Mayor and members of City Council regarding fireworks in our City.  This presentation included a review of the City fireworks ordinance - BMC 10.24.130.  As a simplification of what this ordinance prohibits fireworks-wise in our City, it was stated that any fireworks that leaves the ground or goes "bang" instead of "pop" was illegal.  Last evening, on the Southside, many fireworks that shot far into the air and/or exploded with "bomb-like" noises "greeted" the New Year!  These explosions continue this evening.  I am hoping that the multiple BPD units that are at this very instant - 9:45PM - are in Happy Valley are in fact evidence that these folks who continue to ignore the existing fireworks regulations are being sought.  Please advise.  THANKS!"

"Greetings

      I would like to comment about my experience regarding the new years eve fireworks observed here in the Sunny Land Neighborhood. I have waited until this morning to send an email because I wanted to wait a few days to see if any reports regarding illegal use of fireworks showed up on the Bellingham Police daily activity report for  new years eve. I checked this morning and there was not one report. I am reporting on the activity in the

vicinity around my home . . . The obviously illegal fireworks started going off at approximately 11:30 PM, and continued through to 1:30 AM. I am talking about extremely loud explosions. It is still clear to me that the police department is powerless and reluctant to enforce the law regarding the use of illegal fireworks in the City of Bellingham. The City Council needs to step up to the plate and be the lawmakers that they were elected to be and put into effect a total ban of fireworks. This is a huge public safety issue.

     Durring the New years eve fireworks this year I didn't even bother to make one 911 call because of the experience I had on the last fourth of July with the Bellingham Police Department.  That seems to me a good indication that the city council will continue to do nothing about the Firework issue. If nothing else why doesn't the police department enforce the city's noise ordinance  BMC 10.24.120?"

     Here are excerpts of postings received today on this Freedom From Fireworks in Bellingham blog:  

     "We called 911 New Year's Eve.  I said "I know you don't care about this and you probably won't do anything about this but my neighbors are breaking the law right now and I'd like a patrol car to drive by."  The explosions stopped about 15 mins later so I think they actually drove by.

     We had a couple ideas after the fact:

1) I am going to write a personal note to my neighbor (I know exactly who does this every 4th and 31st) this July 3rd and beg them to not break the law again/be unneighborly. I am also going to offer to donate up to half of what they are spending on these explosives to the charity of their choice.

2) I looked into creating an online database where we can have people log incidents when they happen so we get a realistic view of how much law breaking is going on.

     What continues to bother me here is this...why even have this law if it isn't going to be enforced?  I hate this sort of stuff."

     ". . . you might want to contact the Whatcom Humane Society for statistics on the animal impact of fireworks. After New Year's and the 4th, there are always dogs picked up by Animal Control who got out during the fireworks and ran around terrified until they were found. A few get hit by cars as they run blindly out into the street. I volunteer there so I hear about these issues. I also know that the vet there distributes sedatives for the staff's animals before those holidays. My cat sat on my chest New Year's Eve, submitting to hugs (a rare thing), from 11:30 to 1 AM. You have a lot of supporters at WHS."