Letter: Take a common-sense approach and ban fireworks

Kudos to the Herald for advocating a ban on fireworks for those local cities that are too stubborn to do it. West Richland has seen its share of damaging fires in the past and yet the city council remains close-minded, uninformed and afraid to do what is right.

Fireworks are annoying, dangerous and elicit anxiety and fear in children, senior citizens and animals. Municipal laws limiting the times when fireworks can be displayed and the types of fireworks allowed do nothing to eliminate the problem.

The local police rarely hold anyone responsible for breaking these laws, as they lack proper training on identifying illegal fireworks and aren’t assertive enough to take a stand.

Council members should remove their heads from the sand, join other responsible cities, take a common sense approach and ban fireworks.

This story was originally published May 24, 2016 at 1:30 AM with the headline "Letter: Take a common-sense approach and ban fireworks."