Police should arrest fireworks violators

THE ISSUE Many residents have become convinced that the ban on aerial fireworks can be ignored because police don't arrest violators.

RECENT letters to the editor of the Star-Bulletin have complained that the ban on aerial fireworks on Oahu except in organized festivals is not being enforced. The complaints are valid. Last year's arrest total for New Year's Eve: zero.

In Waikele, wrote resident Mark Barnes, illegal aerial and explosive fireworks have been set off nightly, the worst on Christmas Eve. Barnes said he called police to no avail. Waimanalo resident Etta Huihui indicated that she, too, called the police, who said they couldn't do anything without the violator's address. In Ewa Beach, Mel McKeague wrote that professional-grade aerial fireworks go off nearly nightly year-round, throughout the night and into early morning hours.

Residents are advised as the Fourth of July and New Year's Eve approach that aerial fireworks are illegal. Too many people have concluded from the lack of arrests that the illegal activity is ignored by authorities. Police need to begin making arrests for the ban to be effective.