Am I the only one listening to fireworks and hating it?

[Koolau]

Not sure that is a reasonable comparison - I would think a closer comparison would be speed enforcement on a country road. Is it worth the cost of enforcement on that road when there are more pressing problems (or more regular offenses on busy roads). I think that is more analogous to fireworks which are used illegally maybe twice a year. However regarding your example, I believe that it would be difficult to enforce a law that requires resources form private business with no benefit. Not sure where you live, but if the owner (of the lot) charged a market rate for use, how long would it take to recoup his investment for capital costs?

What our law makers have concluded (in public discussion) is that the current, actual laws "on the books" are not enforceable to any useful degree. For instance, the laws require a LEO to "observe" the illegal activity. I can report my neighbor for using illegal fireworks and even videotape them doing it and the police can't arrest them.

Further, the enforcement provisions are nebulous and the specifics actually favor the "offender" (things like fireworks "in excess of so many pounds"). So a guy has a stash of 200 lbs of fireworks In his garage but he's only setting off one areal that only weighs a pound when the LEO "sees" him. He'd likely walk from court - without charge or be acquitted. Also, the levels of charge are more in the misdemeanor range and rarely a felony (importing container loads of fireworks - for profit - is pretty much a felony.) Most other offenses are misdemeanors and no one takes someone to court for most misdemeanors. If they can't leverage a "guilty plea" out of court, it's a dead issue. No one pleads guilty to a fireworks offense because they know they won't be convicted - and if they are they might pay a small fine.

So, yeah, I think the comparison of laws I mentioned is appropriate. There are almost as many arrests/convictions for not having a charging station in a parking structure/lot (none) as there are fireworks arrests/convictions (almost none).

 

[Gumby]

Occasionally our town has an official professional fireworks show for special occasions. They launch them from just across the harbor from my house, so we have front row seats and I really enjoy them. We occasionally hear some random private fireworks around July 4th and New Years Eve, but not many and not enough to become annoying. The cats seem untroubled by the noise.

 

[Koolau]

UPDATE

Here is an update on the Aliamanu fireworks explosion that killed 4 and injured at least 20 on Oahu.

I really do understand that fireworks are a cultural "thing" locally. Local law makes provision for the cultural aspects of fireworks by allowing people to purchase up to 5000 firecrackers with a permit. So it's not like all fireworks are disallowed.

Such loss of life is simply unacceptable. It appears that we may have finally reached a red line - and crossed it. I guess we'll see.

Fifth person from Aliamanu explosion dies

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Almost one month after an explosion rocked an Aliamanu home a fifth person has died from their injuries. HPD reported a 29-year-old man died at the Arizona hospital where he was being treated for injuries from the incident. The man was identified by the Maricopa County Medical...

www.yahoo.com

 

[Koolau]

Yet another update on the fireworks explosion in Aliamanu, Honolulu. A 6th person has died due to the tragedy.

https://www.khon2.com/local-news/aliamanu-fireworks-explosion-incident-claims-6th-victim/