Vote yes to ban fireworks in Tumwater

It is time we joined our neighbors in Lacey and Olympia to ban fireworks. Both Lacey and Olympia have experienced a downturn in fireworks complaints since their vote-approved bans became effective in 2007 and 2013 respectively. Complaints coming in to their police departments are primarily from Tumwater and the UGA.

Many of us have just gotten disgusted and stopped voicing our concerns since we know nothing is going to stop the noise and violation of curfew. I know that I, for one, stopped reporting as the last time I was told that 911 was overwhelmed, and my complaint was brushed off.

An argument has been put forth that this is the only chance for youth groups to raise money, but there were only two fireworks stands in the city last year, down from six. Every other non-profit in the city has found a different way to raise funds that doesn’t annoy our neighbors.

We are tired of the noise, cleaning up the mess the next day, and the city’s attitude that nothing can be done to deter enforcement of curfew and other fireworks regulations. The city repeatedly “educates” rather than issues tickets to any offenders which doesn’t seem to deter the noise the next year. Please read more at FreedomFromFireworks.org and join us in voting yes on Proposition 1.

This story was originally published October 14, 2016 at 11:10 PM with the headline "Vote yes to ban fireworks in Tumwater."