News for the Fourth

A couple from the Herald:
Great white hype?
State officials play down Coast Guard’s shark warning
By Joe Dwinell and Hillary Chabot
Saturday, July 3, 2010 - Added 8h ago

State officials are putting the bite on the feds for needlessly alarming weekend beach-goers with a dramatic great white shark alert, but the U.S. Coast Guard isn’t backing down.

The flare-up began when the Coast Guard issued a warning to boaters in the region yesterday that the “predators” have arrived ready to “swim into your comfort zone” and find a “dangling hand” on a boat an invitation to chomp.

Fireworks fans blast Bay State ban
Turn to New Hampshire, Rhode Island for fun
By Natalie Sherman and O’Ryan Johnson
Saturday, July 3, 2010 - Added 10h ago

SEABROOK, N.H. - Bay Staters who flooded across state lines yesterday to stock up for the Fourth of July were shooting off a couple of days early - taking aim at the fireworks ban back home.

“I think the law is pretty ridiculous,” said Eric Wharton, 25, who had just filled a bag with $100 worth of goodies such as “Black Cat: Out of Sight” whistling missiles.

In Massachusetts, buying or possessing any kind of fireworks can result in a fine of up to $100. The sale of fireworks can result in a fine of up to $1,000 and even jail time. And, the cops will take the goods.

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OH PU-LEEZE! How are we supposed to fight off sharks without fireworks?
No sparklers? Do they think this is Russia? (Oh, fireworks are legal there)[/small)

Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid. Stupid.
From the Boston Herald:
Pol’s fireworks bill sparks debate
Bay Staters looking to light up the skies for the Fourth of July would no longer have to sneak over the state line to buy fireworks under a controversial proposal by a freshman lawmaker to make them legal.

“Everybody else, including the states that surround Massachusetts, have decriminalized them in some way,” said state Rep. Richard Bastien, a Gardner Republican. “Anybody can drive within an hour of where they live and go purchase fireworks if they want to. These other states have realized they’re missing out on sales tax revenue and pushing people to do business in other states.”

Massachusetts is one of just four states with an outright ban on fireworks, along with New York, New Jersey and Delaware. Small, ground-based fireworks were legalized last year in Rhode Island.

Bastien’s bill would legalize fireworks in Massachusetts but allow towns to issue local permits.

“It doesn’t force cities or towns to sell them. All it does is make it a local option,” Bastien said.
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Just make them legal and stop being such a buzzkill.

Yarmouth focuses on illegal fireworks

YARMOUTH – In response to community complaints and public safety concerns about illegal fireworks, the Yarmouth Police Department reports that it and the Yarmouth Fire, Natural Resources and Parks and Recreation departments are increasing education and enforcement activities this year.



According to the Police Department Deputy Chief Steven Xiarhos, “Yarmouth is the most densely populated town on Cape Cod. With the increases in size and sophistication of some of the fireworks being used we are concerned about the safety of our citizens and visitors and the danger of damage to properties; as well as to our beautiful beaches and natural resources.”



The Yarmouth Police Department lists some of the negative effects of Illicit fireworks displays:

• Disturbs the peacefulness of residents and guests

• Increases fire hazards especially during these dry conditions

• Risks injuries to bystanders and the novice users of dangerous displays

• Causes dogs and other animals to become frightened

• Leaves behind significant debris and unexploded fireworks



In order to be proactive, the Yarmouth departments will be working together over the next few days in order to reduce the negative results of illicit fireworks. The following are some of the initiatives that will be undertaken:



1. Media outreach to inform Yarmouth residents and visitors of the Massachusetts fireworks laws

2. Work with motels particularly along beachfront properties for their protection

3. Deploy beach patrols beginning at 4 p.m. on July 4th in order to prevent illicit fireworks displays from being constructed

4. Fire Inspectors, Police Officers, and Natural Resource Officers will circulate in neighborhoods and respond to 911 calls

5. Take enforcement actions if needed for violations of those laws



Residents and guests are asked to call the Yarmouth Police Department at 508-775-0445 extension 0 if fireworks are being discharged at any time. Deputy Xiarhos cautioned, “Even with teams circulating in neighborhoods, they simply cannot be everywhere at once and there may be a delay in the response time unless an emergency exists.”

Media release provided by the Yarmouth Police Department

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Jack-booted thugs...