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AFTER the fireworks-related death and property damage on New Year's Eve, Gov. Ben Cayetano and the Fire Department are calling for tougher laws to further restrict -- or even ban -- fireworks on Oahu. For once, try
enforcing law against
aerial fireworksThe demands for new laws distract from the real problem -- miserable enforcement of laws we already have.
Our skies on New Year's Eve were visibly bursting with illegal and dangerous aerial explosives -- often in plain view of Oahu's district police station -- and police did virtually nothing to stop it. We'll fare no better with more rigid laws if they're not enforced.
Honolulu police responded to more than 1,000 fireworks-related calls from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1, yet made only two arrests and issued only nine citations.
Police Chief Lee Donohue said police this year favored citations over arrests -- which carry far tougher penalties of five years in jail and fines of $10,000 -- unless violations were "very blatant or dangerous."
How much more dangerous does it have to be than the illegal aerial explosive that landed in the Palolo Valley garage of Lillian Herring, engulfing the 80-year-old in flames as she struggled to get to the door? People have been convicted of negligent homicide for less.
How much more blatant than the 51-inch skyrocket that hit the lanai of Tom and Kay Nago of Aiea Heights, starting a fire that destroyed their $200,000 home and a lifetime of belongings? They used to call that arson.
Says Donohue, "You can't expect 2,000 police officers to police this whole island on a night when the skies are just erupting out there and then have to answer all the other calls for service."
Oh really? Do police have something more important to do than saving the lives and property of defenseless senior citizens?
Donohue again: "It's a tough law to enforce because the last survey that I heard about was that 53 percent of the community was still in favor of some kind of fireworks."
Since when do police back off from enforcing laws that lack full public support? Many citizens favor legalizing prostitution and certain prohibited drugs. We don't see police giving a pass to hookers and drug pushers.
The debate over whether relatively tame firecrackers should be allowed for cultural celebrations has good points on both sides. But no responsible person defends the illegal aerial fireworks that have become epidemic here in recent years.
These are the same powerful explosives that licensed professionals shoot off only over water to assure no danger to people or property. Despite their precautions, even experienced pros sometimes experience deadly accidents.
These treacherous rockets have no place in the hands of liquored-up amateurs in densely populated residential neighborhoods. Protecting the public from this danger should be a high priority for police.
It's not as though it would take great police resources to catch violators. An illegal aerial rocket leaves a bright flare that leads directly back to the yard it came from -- a clue that even the Keystone Kops could follow.
A few patrol cars cruising the right neighborhoods could fill enough paddy wagons with fireworks violators to make illicit mad bombers all over the island think twice.
As Cayetano said, "Even if you probably can't apprehend and arrest everyone who commits a violation, you set a few examples by going after people."
Why don't we try that next time before we worry about passing new laws?
David Shapiro is managing editor of the Star-Bulletin.
He can be reached by e-mail at dshapiro@starbulletin.com.
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