Police, deputies can’t keep up with fireworks complaints

On Monday night my neighborhood, as every Fourth of July, turned into its usual war zone.

The launching of illegal, high-powered aerial devices in a residential neighborhood by several families with total disregard to others is the norm within my 26-home development.

Fire lighting up the sky over homes surrounded by a native growth protective area dense with trees, brush and high grasses.

M-80s and larger explosive devices and bottle rocket launchings continued into the wee hours of the morning.

Having became aware of a special number that one could call for fireworks-related complaints rather than the 911 number, I called twice Monday night.

Each time I explained to the dispatchers my concern and each dispatcher told me they would have an officer call me.

It is afternoon Tuesday and no one has yet contacted me.

I hear this morning that homes continue to burn down as a result of illegal fireworks, people continuing to have their hands blown off, and property damage continues.

What does it take for people to understand that many of their neighbors do not share their joy or enthusiasm when it is raining fire on their roof tops and yards.

The new phone number (425-407-3999) is a joke.

I would expect that other callers to the number had the same experience as I did.

Far too much illegal fireworks activity for deputies to follow-up, let alone a common courtesy call back to a very concerned taxpayer.

Earl M. Haas

Lake Stevens

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