i dont mind some fireworks,,,but it gets out of control,,,,,dogs are scared and people dont know when to stop,,,,thursday is a work day for alot of people after 10 NO NOISE

With the drought that we have I think it is very dangerous that people set off fireworks. Last year on Mason Ave, people were setting them off in the street and ended up in the prairie field catching some area's onfire. Not only that but some roof's caught little fires and it could have been worse. And these are all kids doing this without supervision from their parents. I went to the parents and asked them to have them stop and they called me a traitor and said to mind my own business. when I called the police, I was told by Oak Lawn Dispatch that the police can not respond to every call at that time, but said my concerns has been taken note of.
Right after I called them a 13 year old kid through a M80 in the street as a car was going by and the blast shattered the driver's right rear window. An because of the panic she almost hit 2 kids that were watching from a distance. This needs to be dealt with at all times.
There is a neighbor on 104th and Mason who buy's truckloads from Indiana and sells them to kids on the street. I hope you are reading this post, because the box you sold to a young boy was reported by the parents and destroyed. We now know who you are and if you continue we will report you to the Oak Lawn Police and the ATF because some of the fireworks you sold are very dangerous in the hands of young people, it could be fatal if they do not know how to set them off.
I have other neighbor's who agree. So you know you have been warned.

The problem is in many cases is not just 1 day. Fireworks are blown off the week before and after. It only takes one dud for an accident to happen and no one knows if they have a dud until they blow it off. When it was just firecrackers and small fireworks it was more tolerable but some of today's fireworks have no place in a residential neighborhood. Many times they are blown off by people who have been drinking all day at different parties and are an accident waiting to happen.

These comments are hilarious.

I would love it if the OLPD would enforce these laws. It is especially dangerous this year because of the dry weather. Unfortunately, the risks won't stop these idiots. I.hope they.only injure themselves.

Yeah, they really need to crack down, especially in light of the current drought conditions.

I think the people that complain about fireworks are worse than the noise the freworks makes. I dont think that proper use of fireworks is a bad thing. The Illinois Nazis always complain. Why dont you pass a law prohibiting thunder storms. then we could all sleep soundly. I think people who call the police because someone is lighting fire crackers are stupid and diverting police attention from real crime. I also think the only time one should call the police regarding fireworks is if they are disregarding peoples safety. It is also theft when a cop takes ones fireworks for themselves which happens quite frequently. To the person who claims their window was shattered by an M80 that was thrown in the street you are lying as an M80 does not have the explosive force to shatter glass unless they tapped it to your window. I even doubt a half stick would cause a shattered window.

Snakes and snap n pops what a joke. What a bunch of sissy's in this state.

Illinois should be called the NAZI state

To all the whiners:
Wipe the tears,stay in your house,turn on the air,turn your tv up,put in the earplugs,etc. Its the 4th of July,deal with it!

Donna,
Snuggle up with you scared dog and get some rest so you won't be crabby @ work Thurday! Your life must be grand.

In several years past I called the police to complain about fireworks. In particular, last year, a family near me was allowing their young children to set off fireworks in their driveway, and I think that is very, very unwise. The police, as far as I know, did not do anything whatsoever and this family continued to set off their fireworks for three days. So I don't think the police do anything about fireworks but very deliberately turn a blind eye. They also allow the fireworks to continue late into the night, as some others have commented.

The problem is that it isn't one day, it goes on for days before with the M80s and continues for days after. Even when the police have shown up they've done nothing to stop them. We've never called the police because 1)they're neighbors and 2)it doesn't matter. ONE M80 at any random time of night scares the crap out of anyone not aware it's going to be lit. I'd definitely go with the one day a year but not several weeks.

Ok, but mix booze and fireworks. One year my neighbor was shooting them off into the tree in front of his house. Kids were all around and if you have ever seen a child with a fireworks injury--it is very sad.

I love the fireworks. However, I am ALWAYS very concerned about the safety. People need COMMON SENSE. Keep water (large bucket) and hose on nearby. Water lawns and trees thoroughly - days before and of the fireworks. CLEAN THOSE GUTTERS. No children nearby - come on parents! Those lighting them off NOT ALLOWED TO DRINK - COMMON SENSE AGAIN. Police your own children and relatives, do not be ignorant or allow others to be ignorant. Quit trying to turn to the authorities all of the time to take care of your own responsibilities. I SAY END THE IGNORANCE. If you want the fireworks, give your dogs Benedryl, light them only on the Fourth of July. We still have a lot to celebrate in this Country - lets do it right!

I would have to agree with CLP..I believe the biggest worries are the dry conditions and childrens' safety.. maybe limiting them until 11 o'clock to allow people to go to sleep.. Most people have been partying since 4 so blow off the ground stuff early and the aerial stuff after dark.. If you can't blow it off by 11, you just have too much!! Be careful but have a good time!!

CLP, if these people had common sense they would.not.be using fireworks, especially during a drought.

When I was a kid, a long, long time ago, I broke my arm one July 3rd afternoon playing "touch football". I waited all day in the Emergency Room at Christ for the arm to get set and wrapped in plaster. I thought my first summer after 8th grade graduation was ruined until I saw why I had to wait so long. Coming down the hallway in a wheelchair was guy about my age. His left hand was bandaged like a club and both his eyes were bandaged as well. The nurse told me that he was riding his bicycle when someone tossed an M80 his way. He reflexively caught the thing and looked down as it went off. I'm told he he lost a couple fingers. Flesh and corneas aren't as durable as glass. Having fun is fine under adult supervision. The law exists because many adults are incapable of providing just such adult supervision when it is needed most. Somethings stay with you for life. Fortunately for me it was only a memory.

I realize fireworks along with most others fun things are illegal in Illinois but are legal in most other states. I agree that everything is very dry, so by keeping water handy is a great idea. Sober adults should b the only people allowed to use fireworks. Maybe if Illinois made fireworks legal we could possibly balance the states budget from the large tax revenue collected! Please be careful and enjoy our independence!!

Love to know the connection between illegal fireworkand enjoying our independence.

If it WASN'T a drought, if it WASN'T a weekday, if it WASN'T too many drunks, in charge of SO many young kids, with such BIG fireworks, with SO many rude people, who are inconsiderate of their neighbors (including babies or pets), and of course the kids that their parents THINK are old enough, but really, are not...IF, IF, IF...but it IS all of these things...all of them combined.
I used to blow them off too, when I was younger, it was literally a blast...but it was a couple packs of firecrackers, ladyfingers or my favorite, bottle rockets. Now nobody is happy unless the potential for death or dismemberment is very high. They CAN be fun, but at what cost? It isn't like if you mess up, you just restart your mission on a videogame...when the explosion happens, it REALLY takes your fingers, or your eye, or your hearing, or whatever else. Worse, little kids are wandering around, too often unwatched by soused up parents.
Things have changed...people want to put on 'full displays' like a town might, but very few people can or will do it right, safety wise or consideration wise. The problem is EVERYBODY thinks that THEY will do a good job, but statistics show that most of those people end up, well, statistics.
Everybody just be safe, be nice, and take care of yourself and others.
Happy Fourth of July, Oak Lawn!

Thanks Tyler. That explains,the displays put on by the towns. Still dont see the connection to blowing off illegal fireworks and endangering and annoying your neighbors.

Dave, everything you said is true. It wont stop anyone. I hope no one is injured. However, I really hope no innocent people,are hurt because of this nonsense.

I'd like to see them legalized.

If u want to blow up stuff and blow ur arm and face go for it, you derserve it. And dont have kids around. Just go watch a firework show or have fun in ER counting what fingers or brains you have left

Looks like the poll is too close to call. Since it is Happy 4th's Day lets all call our committee people and tell them to enforce the ordinance or get rid of it
{ 7-4-2: FIREWORKS = A. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to possess, offer for sale, expose for sale, sell or use, explode or discharge any fireworks, or pyrotechnics in the village, except at a fireworks/pyrotechnic exhibition licensed by the village. No cannon cracker, giant firecracker, skyrocket, bomb, or any other fireworks that are unusually dangerous shall be used at such exhibitions. Licensed exhibitions shall be given subject to the supervision of the fire chief or of some person designated by him. }

Problem solved y- n- ?

Part 2

B. For purposes of this section, the term "fireworks" shall mean and include any explosive c by explosion, combustion, deflagration or detonation, and shall include blank cartridges, toy cannons, in which explosives are used, the type of balloons which require fire underneath to propel the same, firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, Roman candles, bombs or other fireworks of like construction and any fireworks containing any explosive compound, or any tablets or other device containing any explosive substance, or containing combustible substances producing visual effects: provided, however, that the term "fireworks" shall not include snake or glowworm pellets; smoke devices; trick noisemakers known as "party poppers", "booby traps", "snappers", "trick matches", "cigarette loads" and "auto burglar alarms"; toy pistols, toy canes, toy guns or other devices in which paper or plastic caps containing twenty five one-hundredths (0.25) grain or less of explosive compound are used, providing they are so constructed that the hand cannot come in contact with the cap when in place for the explosion; and toy pistol paper or plastic caps which contain less than twenty one-hundredths (0.20) grain of explosive mixture; the sale and use of which shall be permitted at all times.

C. Any person, firm or corporation violating this section shall be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) ($500.00). (Ord. 89-15-37)

Ok, so basically if my fireworks shooting neighbors keep a bucket of water handy and make sure to completely water their lawn--all will be good. And you "experts" out there are saying that there is no chance that there will be a malfunction and this firework won't land in my yard, on my roof and cause any damage. Every year I pick up a bag full of firework debris that is in my yard. If all you fireworks folks pooled your money you could afford to put on a grand display conducted by professionals. Maybe the state should cave in and make it legal if you have a permit. Charge a ton for the permit--make proof of liability and health insurance a requirement. huge fines for shooting off fireworks without a permit. Then we could have fireworks every day!! Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy a well done display, But these things are dangerous.

fred wiese, the only thing about making them 'legal' or not in Oak Lawn is that they are still IlLegal in Illinois. One in five states has similar or even more restrictive laws (including Arizona, which allows only 'novelty items' but doesn't mind if whack-jobs can carry guns and shoot people in Congress) Another twenty allow 'safe and sane" fireworks (although, if what Indiana sells is considered 'safe' [and it is], whatever is higher up has to be off the chart bonkers). Everybody else can blow themselves up real good with anything they can get their seven fingers on, it seems.
[http://gizmodo.com/5578637/the-fireworks-laws-of-every-state]
There are so many aspects of this debate, and I certainly understand the allure of them. There IS a reason why towns have to buy a LOT of insurance to put on a fireworks display. People have now escalated far beyond shower cones and bootles rockets; none of these folks are properly insured, nor do they REALLY take the proper safety measures. Even if they are sober, and TRYING to be safe, they are doing them in the street or their alleys near trees, homes, random debris...even professionals cannot always judge a shift in the wind or misfires/duds. It is one thing to have mistakes when they are launched over a quarry or a football field. quite another on an awning, a pile of firewood, or roll off a roof into a gutter with VERY dry leaves.
After 11pm; still going strong in Oak Lawn...sirens driving by attached to ambulai and fire trucks...

I don't begrudge anyone using fireworks, I used to use them when I was young. It doesn't bother me If it goes on on the 1st 2nd 3rd or 4th because after that the police do crack down. I can't believe the money people pay for these fireworks now. Back in the day a $100 would be a great display, now people are spending thousands of dollars on displays. What I hate is that Indiana gets that money Il. should legalize the sales like Indiana. People are going to buy fireworks no matter what we might as well keep the money here in Il.

The only problem I see with that, Andy, aside from the numerous other things mentioned above, is this...these fireworks ARE dangerous, I think we can all safely agree on that...so, okay, fine, legalize them, but make sure there is a minimum coverage insurance law that is good for, say...million dollars. If they have, as you say, THOUSANDS to spend on fireworks, make sure the neighbors, their kids, their homes, cars, pets, are safe. People should not have to stay indoors for two-five days of the year...bad enough if they can't walk the neighborhood, we cannot tell people to stay inside their homes like it is martial law for their own safety.
Before people get all excited about the insurance thing, consider this: if you go to rent a car or moving truck, you have to either have coverage, or buy theirs. A homeowners policy won't be enough to cover (or simply won't) every incident, nor will it if they can find it was done with criminal intent. All you would need is for somebody to say 'They shot that roman candle at my garage on purpose' and poof, no coverage.
Also, consider this...remember, injury from fireworks are likely to end up at the hospital. SO...now it is either they don't have the money and us taxpayers get to foot that bill, OR, we have to hope that the injured rocket surgeon isn't in OUR insurance plan, thus driving up OUR premiums to cover some drunk yoyo that was a little too slow on the release...do you like them playing Russian Roulette with YOUR money?

Last night's fireworks display at Richards was great. I saw a lot of good friends and enjoyed the sense of community that the event created. The Park District and Village did a great job.

What began as a civil discussion has quickly disintegrated into comment rage. It's just a story, folks. A couple of you started out fine but then I don't know what happened. I think we said all we to need to say on this subject so I'm shutting down the board. Thanks for commenting.