Seeing Red Over Fireworks

Re “Fireworks Light Up Coffers Under a Glare of Criticism,” July 4: As a Lakewood resident for 40 years, I have finally had it with the sale of so-called safe and sane fireworks because it encourages the use of illegal fireworks. The increased fines for use of illegal fireworks are a joke -- whenever we call the sheriff’s department to complain about the “mortars” being shot overhead, we’re put on hold. When someone finally comes back on line, we’re asked if we want to report “someone not breathing.” What’s that supposed to mean?

Things are so out of control in this city that the sheriff’s deputies won’t even respond to gunshots or assaults in progress. They refuse to respond. What good is increasing the fine if they never plan to collect? The funds raised through sales aren’t enough to justify the loss of safety and the cost of paying officers overtime to provide the protection we never get, not to mention the terror it causes our frightened animals.

Priscilla Hansen

Lakewood