With Independence Day falling on a Wednesday, I expected the usual mayhem to be a little less intense. From the standpoint of fireworks complaints to the police, that proved to be the case. LPD responded to 295 such calls, from June 28 until about 5:30 AM today. That's the lowest number since I've been counting. The Fourth itself was still a busy day, though, with almost 400 police dispatches, about 20% above the daily average--including a homicide.
On the fire side, I had been watching LF&R activity closely, especially in light of the current drought and oppressive heat. As the week unfolded, things were actually rather calm, with the number of daily incidents hovering around 60, compared to the daily average of 57. It was, however, just the calm before the storm, as LF&R doubled that yesterday. Independence Day was really hopping for the firefighters, particularly late in the evening. Medical emergencies had dominated the earlier part of the day, but after sunset, the fire runs went a little wild: 12 fire dispatches between 10:00 PM and midnight. Thankfully, no one managed to burn their house down, but it sure wasn't for lack of effort.
The most serious incident associated with the holiday was Tuesday night, when two men were seriously burned while in the process of taking apart pyrotechnics in order to remove the powder and build a bigger bang. During my career, I can recall several serious fireworks-related injuries like this, including one kid who lost a hand, and another who lost his life.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
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13 comments:
Not in Lincoln, but in 1959 or 60, 3 young men were coming back from MO with a car full of fireworks. At the Bennet corner a lit cracker went out the front window and in the back.One was killed, and I heard that the trunk lid was blow clear across the intersection. One of the survivors went on to become a 10-11 news team member and I believe, went into the ministry. Just a bit of history from an old lady,.
After reading about Omaha's effort to curtail "celebratory gunfire", I decided I not to follow D256's advice, and I kept my 500 in its holster for the 4th. I really wondered though, how fast I could deflate one of those giant, inflated gorillas so many of the fireworks stands had this year. I did rev my Harley a few times after mounting a small flag on the back.
I had a better Fourth of July this year than I had last year.
I live in what I had always thought was a poverty stricken section of Lincoln. I may have to change my thinking. During the past three days my "poverty stricken" neighbors set off at least $100,000.00 worth of fireworks. Selling drugs must be lucrative!
Gun Nut
My husband and I came home last night about 10:30pm and several neighbors were out still lighting fireworks. Several people were looking at the sky, watching a buring lantern float away. I was just commenting on how stupid I think those are, especially during the current weather circumstances when my husband noticed another lantern falling into a tree in the someone's backyard. My point was confirmed immediately how wreckless those things are. We never heard sirens down our street, so gladly the incident was resolved. But I am ready and waiting to support the city council to ban them as soon as can be done.
I'm probably better off financially than most of the neighbors around here. However, I'm not rich by any stretch of the imagination, and I haven't spent a dime on fireworks since my kids got out of grade school. It's hard to believe how much the people around here must have spent on fireworks when most of them can't even afford to keep their cars running or their houses in good repair. Maybe some of them are dealing drugs, too. :)
I agree about the amount of money wasted on fireworks from, seemingly, poor households. My experience has been, that the needier families in my neighborhood, either have a herd of dogs that they cannot afford or they piss away hundreds of dollars on fireworks every year, and sometimes BOTH. That's just nutty priorities. But then again, it's just my opinion!
6:47,
Sorry you were offended, I was just trying to give a run down of what the day was like, and how it compared to previous Independence Days.
At the time I posted, the homicide was still in the early stages of investigation, and I just didn't know enough about it to elaborate.
I was offended and I thank you for your apology. I knew Orlando and knew had his run in with the law, but hearing he was dead just took the wind right out of me.
Again, thanks for the apology.
Steve,
I'm sorry, but I cannot publish your comment pertaining to a pending case. No offense.
4:01,
Point well-taken.
Tom:
I understand. No problem.
Steve
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