PORT ANGELES — Ideas ranging from a crackdown on illegal fireworks in Port Angeles to an outright ban were vetted in a community meeting this week.
Jan Butler, organizer of Safer 4th of July for Port Angeles, convened the brainstorm session Tuesday to curb what she and others described as escalating nuisance: consumer fireworks terrifying people and pets into the wee hours of the morning on and around the Fourth of July.
“I know we’ve got a lot of fine minds in this community, so any alternatives that can make Fourth of July more fun for everyone, let’s think about it,” Butler said.
Several speakers suggested a public relations campaign to inform the citizenry that consumer fireworks, including the legal “safe and sane” variety, are prohibited in Port Angeles after 11 p.m. on the Fourth.
Others said an educational campaign would not deter the “bad apples” in their neighborhoods from breaking the rules.
“Because of the explosion of the activity during a very busy period of time, the enforcement posture is definitely very challenged,” Port Angeles Deputy Police Chief Brian Smith told a crowd of about 40 who gathered at the Port Angeles Library.
After the meeting, a seven-member steering committee was formed to study the fireworks issue.
The steering committee will eventually make a recommendation to the City Council.
Butler brought her own concerns about mortar concussions rattling her windows past 3 a.m. to the City Council on July 15.
The council agreed that illegal fireworks have become a problem in the city, with Councilman Brad Collins suggesting he would vote in favor of a fireworks ban.
Several speakers in Tuesday’s forum said their neighborhoods looked and sounded like a “war zone” on and around the Fourth of July.
Some complained about the incessant noise, fire danger and litter caused by fireworks.
Legal consumer fireworks purchased at state-licensed fireworks stands can be discharged within the city limit between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. on the Fourth of July.
The city of Port Townsend in Jefferson County banned consumer fireworks in 2003.
Elsewhere in Clallam and Jefferson counties, legal fireworks can be lit from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. June 28 to July 3, from 9 a.m. to midnight on the Fourth itself and from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 5.
Part of the reason amateur pyrotechnists were particularly active this year was because the Fourth was a Friday, Port Angeles Fire Chief Ken Dubuc said.
Next year’s Independence Day falls on a Saturday.
“It just seems like it’s impossible to monitor if you don’t have a ban,” said Kathryn Cooper of Port Angeles.
Jason Leffers of Port Angeles said he opposed an outright ban on consumer fireworks. He suggested raising the $500 fine for the unlawful discharge of fireworks.
“I definitely agree that there should be a strict time limit, and people need to respect their neighbors,” Leffers said.
“They need to be able to go to sleep at a reasonable hour and not have to be tormented by fireworks.
“But I clearly disagree with even the notion of banning them altogether.”
After the meeting, Leffers said the concerns expressed by the anti-fireworks crowd were “all valid.”
“But there’s a way to do that without banning,” he said.
“I want to be a part of that solution.”
________
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
