Fireworks complaints fizzle with officials

To the editor:

I live in the Caswell area of the Mat-Su. Fireworks are illegal out here, even though they sell them in Houston. They start fires, scare animals and keep people who live out here awake. Most of the people I have found setting them off are intoxicated and could care less about the problems they are causing.

The Sunday before Memorial Day, I was at a friend’s 60th birthday party in Willow. There was a fire at Little Willow Creek and I could not get home, as the highway was closed. Fifteen minutes after finally getting home — fireworks started up right behind my cabin. Not sparklers or firecrackers, but the kind that are shot off into the air and come down in the woods, and fire danger was high.

A neighbor went with me to find out exactly who was shooting them off. We found the place and the people there, drunk of course, threatened to shoot us and we called 911 as we were being told we would be shot. When we arrived back at my place we called 911 again and actually spoke to a trooper who said he would be out, and if he couldn’t find the cabin he would call. No calls. The next morning I called trooper dispatch to find out the outcome of our call. I was told “a trooper did a drive through and didn’t see any fireworks being shot off.”

Well, duh!

So then, we got on the borough tax site to figure out who owned the cabin and filled out fireworks complaints, a waste of time and a stamp. The borough told me that the only way a citation could be written was after numerous complaints, and a code compliance officer had to see the fireworks. I said, “Yeah, right, a CCO is going to sit out here on a holiday weekend and look for fireworks.”

I was also told I needed pictures, video and even fireworks debris.

Then comes the state Division of Forestry. I talked to someone there who told me if I got pictures, video, tag numbers and fireworks they would do something, write a citation.

So Fourth of July weekend I got video and pictures, tag numbers and even walked up to where one group of people were lighting them off and took the firework tubes and spent fireworks. I said to myself, “Now something will be done!”

I boldly — and stupidly — got all of the evidence I was told was necessary for something to be done. I really risked my life; these people were drunk and one group was the same people from Memorial Day weekend who threatened to shoot me.

But wait, Forestry told me that because it was the Fourth of July, and so many were setting off fireworks, they would do nothing, but if a fire happened to start because of smoldering fireworks they would do something so I should hang onto my evidence. I won’t even waste my time filling out another borough complaint.

Fireworks are illegal in the Mat-Su. Houston should not be allowed to sell them, but I guess the city needs the tax revenue. Guess next holiday I’ll get earplugs so I won’t be kept up until 3 in the morning. I’ve learned my lesson about caring and doing what’s right. From what I’ve been told, one group that I took fireworks from actually thought it was funny when I was taking pictures and fireworks. They had plenty more and knew nothing would be done.

So much for believing what officials say. I ended up being the joke.

Nancy Crowden

Caswell