Air travelers err with fireworks
Ben Godar
Some travelers departing from the Burbank-Glendale- Pasadena Airport
for the Fourth of July didn’t think to leave their fireworks behind,
and airport police say the repercussions could be more severe the
next time they fly.
At least six travelers have been stopped in the past week with
some type of fireworks, Security Chief Mike Post said. The fireworks
were all confiscated and destroyed, and Post said none of the
travelers were issued citations.
While the fireworks might be legal in the areas people are
traveling to or from, Post said no one will be allowed on a plane
with explosives.
“This is the consummate brain-dead person who isn’t thinking about
the context,” he said.
While the travelers in possession of fireworks were not detained,
Post said residue left by the fireworks could be detected by
screening equipment the next time they fly, which could lead to the
individual being detained by security personnel.
“The biggest implication is that a lot of these chemicals are the
same ones as in more serious explosive compounds,” he said.
While fireworks are prohibited inside the airport, police said
they are also illegal outside the facility.
Burbank Police spokesman Sgt. William Berry said all fireworks are
banned in the city, including sparklers.
“This entire metropolitan area is just too inhabited to do stuff
like that,” he said.
Those found in possession of fireworks can be issued a citation
for the infraction, but Berry said this weekend officers would be
dealing with many people who use the devices anyway.
“The poor officers who work nights are going to be getting all
sorts of calls all over the city for fireworks,” he said.