Use of illegal fireworks in Woodland unacceptable

……and the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof thru the night that our flag was still there

So it was. Another Woodland 4th of July has come and gone. Because of COVID-19 the City’s usual family friendly 4th of July events were canceled. We truly hope to bring those events back next year. As the sun was going down and the beautiful full moon was rising you undoubtedly heard and probably saw the bombs bursting in air. In my southwest Woodland neighborhood, and throughout all of Woodland, some of my neighbors had a seemingly endless supply of Four Horseman Rockets and Alpha Base 10’s and other assorted devices which can be purchased legally in Nevada and elsewhere.

Social media and neighborhood apps immediately resorted to complaints mostly claiming an illegal fireworks boom unlike any in recent memory. Some might think the illegal fireworks displays could be part of a campaign to suppress recent protests or a side-effect of prolonged quarantine. Other observers claim the number of explosions really isn’t that different than usual at all. So what’s really going on?

There are a lot of theories. What we do know for sure is that people are calling police about illegal fireworks a lot more. In Woodland, authorities reported 365 calls regarding fireworks from June 15 through the 4th of July thus overwhelming already understaffed public safety agencies. Similar increases have been reported by law enforcement agencies all across California. By the time the cruiser arrived the culprits had stopped or went into hiding.

Perhaps the most popular explanation for the sudden increase in these spectacular and unnervingly loud illegal displays centers on the pandemic in two ways. First, naturally, the boredom of teens, the not so teens and families, cooped up at home since mid-March, looking for something fun to do outside. Let’s face it guys like to blow things up, make loud noises and blow off steam. Sure, it’s not only illegal but it’s also dangerous. Since when has that stopped guys from having a little fun.

Some of us suffered for hours as our seniors, children and dogs were scurrying for cover while others could be heard oohing and awing. I was worried about our veterans who saw actual combat. Law enforcement and the fire department can only do so much. It was almost futile to try and isolate the scofflaws. One individual told me he parked on the outskirts of Woodland and just watched in amazement. The whole city was lit up.

My thoughts today are this. What did we expect would happen when the state and local governments shut down public displays; closed beaches; closed restaurants and on and on? I think we can all learn from this year’s events. Some have suggested that we ban all fireworks of any kind. Others are suggesting a task force to locate, arrest and prosecute these mad bombers. I have a different perspective. To me it simply means we need continue to work around this pandemic which has shaken our way of life to the absolute core resulting in changing how we live, how we socialize and how we react to regulation.

It’s not over. Yolo County and Woodland have seen a tremendous increase in infections. At last council meeting we were informed of the increase in infections, exposures and hospitalizations, right here in Woodland. We have got to get serious and practice what we have learned to do over the last few months.

I just hope that by next 4th of July we can resume our routines of some family fun in a safe and sane manner. I don’t think my nerves can take anymore. And oh yes, my flag was still there.