QUESTION: I am astonished that police are urging the public to turn in people using illegal fireworks (hsblinks.com/1md). This year a family on the street where I live started the illegals at about 6 p.m. I felt like I was sitting on Flat Island on the Fourth of July. By 1 a.m. I was so nervous and agitated that I almost went out to confront them. Why didn't police leave their safety net and go out and find the people setting off illegal fireworks? It would have been easy, especially in Kailua, where it was clear the fireworks were generally north of Kuulei Road. Violators had no fear because they knew police would not bother them. It is the general belief that no arrests are made because people with “;connections”; are bringing illegal fireworks in. If this is not true, it is frightening to realize that our protectors cannot really protect us from illegal shipments of fireworks or terrorists.

ANSWER: The Honolulu Police Department insists it needs the public to step up and be willing to turn violators in, even if they are neighbors.

“;The fact that the use of illegal fireworks is widespread and prevalent makes enforcement of the fireworks laws extremely difficult,”; said Bryan Wauke, the Honolulu Police Department's assistant chief for the Central Patrol Bureau (Kalihi, Downtown-Chinatown, Waikiki and East Honolulu).

HPD relies on citizens to report violations because officers might be too far away to pinpoint the origin of an aerial firework, he said.

Wauke said that district police commanders have in recent years used “;various strategies”; to address violators, including having officers assigned specifically to enforcing fireworks laws.

During the recent New Year's holiday, police issued 93 citations and arrested two people.

Officers also seized 13,400 pounds of illegal fireworks last month with an estimated street value of $150,000 to $200,000, Wauke said.

“;We would like to do more on New Year's Eve, but our officers are tasked with responding to many types of calls for service during this busy time period,”; he said.

What it comes down to is people just doing the right thing.

“;The effective enforcement of any law is contingent on the majority of the community following the law,”; Wauke said. “;It is unfortunate that so many in our community are unwilling to stick with legal fireworks within the legally allowed period of time and not be considerate of their neighbors.”;

HPD, the Honolulu Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services Department are all calling for a complete ban on consumer fireworks.

“;We encourage the public to call their legislators and voice their support for a ban,”; Wauke said.

AUWE

I, along with hundreds of senior citizens, barely survived the New Year's smoke and noise, particularly the “;bombs,”; which were loud enough to shatter windows! I previously suggested to late Councilwoman Barbara Marshall that perhaps we should increase the permit fee to $50, but that went nowhere. So, how about a fundraiser to beef up the Police Department overtime to enable more officers to cruise neighborhoods notorious for violations? That way, citizens can “;report”; neighborhoods in advance since catching them in the act is almost impossible and frankly ludicrous.— Helen