Yob! Fireworks Are Bang Out Of Order!
As i sit here, on Halloween night (that's October 31st), at 7.30pm with a lit pumpkin in the window inviting the 'good' trick or treaters to the door i am aware of noises that in my opinion, should be reserved for November the 5th only! We live in a good neighbourhood with nice people who all want to be involved in the various 'celebrations' that scatter through the year but who also respect the wishes of others not to be subjected to harrassment and annoyance in the run up to these events. In particular it is the fateful Guy Fawks and our modern interpretation of honouring that event, that is the biggest bain of most peoples lives out of all of these celebrations.
I wonder how many of 'the yobs', and believe me as a 'resting' member of Law Enforcement i justfiably call them that, know who Guy Fawks is. Moreso do they even care? The answer is probably not. Fireworks night, or should i more correctly say Firework month, is merely an excuse to often illegally buy a heap of 'Big Bangs On Sticks', get a case of cheap larger (illegally from the same off licence or corner shop they bought their illegal fireworks from), find a Park or some woodland and let off as many Fireworks as possible without any regard for people, wildlife, damage or their own safety. All in the name of fun? Is it? I can't think of anything worse than walking in an October downpour through a muddy field, trying to light a soggy firework that could blow my face off and watching from a 'not so safe' distance for it to go bang. All over!
It is supposed to be illegal to sell fireworks to anyone under the legal age and yet year after year we see our young friends with what seems like an unlimited supply for weeks before and after the official day. The result is annoyance, harrassment and danger to everyone else because they think it gives them some cred!. There is some kind of Kudos attached to it, like smoking underage. These kids are not yet in the heroin and sponging social dustbin of those a few rungs up on the anti social behaviour ladder. They may well engage in petty crime and other anti-social behaviour but also, probably, still live with their parents who in most cases have no idea what their teen meanies are up to.
Unfortunately it is in that basket of things that are very hard to Police. By the time reports have been allocated the 'problem' has often finished. Gone in a Bang!. So what to do?
A suggested, sensible solution would be to make the sale of Fireworks restricted to organised displays only. I am sure that some Fireworks would still manage to get onto the 'streets' but it would ensure that the majority stayed safely with those considered to be more responsible. It would limit the 'Banging' to only a few days prior to November 5th, with perhaps a spattering of bangs post the 5th. It would also mean, as an added 'Brucey Bonus' more organised displays, bringing communities together ALL in one place on the same couple of days to watch the true spectacle of a large, organised Firework display.
In our climate of ASBOS and a growing fear of youth amongst many, we have to ask why doesn't the government address this issue in all its simplicity. Maintain the laws as they stand but add restrictions such as time frames of sale, designated points of sale and licences to use Fireworks. I appreciate how difficult it is to enforce the laws that we do have, which i won't go into. Perhaps it isn't a vote winner, not a government priority and to some no big deal. For many, however, such as the elderley, disabled, animal owners and the rest of us who hate this yearly social ritual, it is a bloody pain in the Rocket. Our taxes are wasted and the emergency services frustrated as they 'waste time' mopping up from this 'high jinx' for weeks on end.
I love a good Firework show just as much as the next person but the mindless 'Yob Displays' are now a tedious headache year after year. Don't you agree Guy?
As i sit here, on Halloween night (that's October 31st), at 7.30pm with a lit pumpkin in the window inviting the 'good' trick or treaters to the door i am aware of noises that in my opinion, should be reserved for November the 5th only! We live in a good neighbourhood with nice people who all want to be involved in the various 'celebrations' that scatter through the year but who also respect the wishes of others not to be subjected to harrassment and annoyance in the run up to these events. In particular it is the fateful Guy Fawks and our modern interpretation of honouring that event, that is the biggest bain of most peoples lives out of all of these celebrations.
I wonder how many of 'the yobs', and believe me as a 'resting' member of Law Enforcement i justfiably call them that, know who Guy Fawks is. Moreso do they even care? The answer is probably not. Fireworks night, or should i more correctly say Firework month, is merely an excuse to often illegally buy a heap of 'Big Bangs On Sticks', get a case of cheap larger (illegally from the same off licence or corner shop they bought their illegal fireworks from), find a Park or some woodland and let off as many Fireworks as possible without any regard for people, wildlife, damage or their own safety. All in the name of fun? Is it? I can't think of anything worse than walking in an October downpour through a muddy field, trying to light a soggy firework that could blow my face off and watching from a 'not so safe' distance for it to go bang. All over!
It is supposed to be illegal to sell fireworks to anyone under the legal age and yet year after year we see our young friends with what seems like an unlimited supply for weeks before and after the official day. The result is annoyance, harrassment and danger to everyone else because they think it gives them some cred!. There is some kind of Kudos attached to it, like smoking underage. These kids are not yet in the heroin and sponging social dustbin of those a few rungs up on the anti social behaviour ladder. They may well engage in petty crime and other anti-social behaviour but also, probably, still live with their parents who in most cases have no idea what their teen meanies are up to.
Unfortunately it is in that basket of things that are very hard to Police. By the time reports have been allocated the 'problem' has often finished. Gone in a Bang!. So what to do?
A suggested, sensible solution would be to make the sale of Fireworks restricted to organised displays only. I am sure that some Fireworks would still manage to get onto the 'streets' but it would ensure that the majority stayed safely with those considered to be more responsible. It would limit the 'Banging' to only a few days prior to November 5th, with perhaps a spattering of bangs post the 5th. It would also mean, as an added 'Brucey Bonus' more organised displays, bringing communities together ALL in one place on the same couple of days to watch the true spectacle of a large, organised Firework display.
In our climate of ASBOS and a growing fear of youth amongst many, we have to ask why doesn't the government address this issue in all its simplicity. Maintain the laws as they stand but add restrictions such as time frames of sale, designated points of sale and licences to use Fireworks. I appreciate how difficult it is to enforce the laws that we do have, which i won't go into. Perhaps it isn't a vote winner, not a government priority and to some no big deal. For many, however, such as the elderley, disabled, animal owners and the rest of us who hate this yearly social ritual, it is a bloody pain in the Rocket. Our taxes are wasted and the emergency services frustrated as they 'waste time' mopping up from this 'high jinx' for weeks on end.
I love a good Firework show just as much as the next person but the mindless 'Yob Displays' are now a tedious headache year after year. Don't you agree Guy?
posted by Things That Make You Go Ooo! Team @ 8:02 pm
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