Campaign to curb the use of fireworks

Taryn Coghlan writes:

We have started a campaign to curb the use of fireworks, especially those large bombs that go off over this period from October to December and to ensure that the legislation is upheld.

We have to stop unregulated selling of fireworks on the side of highways and shops.

It is a hard slog and with the limited time we have, we so desperately need help.

We have over 9 000 signatures so far and have got articles published in our local newspaper.

The vets, pet shops and many local businesses have really gone out of their way to assist us.

This cause is bigger than all of us as individuals but concerns every community and residential area.

I started this in the Fairland, Northcliff area and it has spread to Randburg, Randpark Ridge, Boskruin, Douglasdale, Greenside, Krugersdorp and in fact, all over. Got signed petitions from Cape Town last week.

I have a meeting on Thursday [30 October] evening at the Honeydew Police and with the Community Policing Forum.

After yesterday’s drive [26 October] at the Animals in Distress walk/run, we can safely say we have over 9 000 signatures and still counting.

I am having meetings with various Community Policing Forums and ratepayers’ associations.

Please can you read our petition and the letter presented at the Fairland Police Station to the Community Policing Forum last month and maybe we can get your assistance in some way.

The public can send an email to : stopfireworks1@gmail.com or taryn.coghlan@gmail.com.

Editor’s note: Please visit our website to read the petition letter.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

Stop fireworks – Fun for so few, harms so many!

Thank you very much for affording us the opportunity to present our case to you on 9 September 2014 at the Fairland Police Station.

Every year the fireworks become louder and more intrusive.

And every year people, children, babies, animals and our wildlife suffer.

Many owls (which are responsible for keeping our ever present rat population down) and birds are killed every year due to the bright lights and bangs.

They are startled and with the result, fly into electric fences and walls.

People throw crackers into neighbouring yards or they fall from the sky, causing damage to property and unsuspecting animals.

The Animal Protection Act clearly states that it is an offence to terrorise or abuse animals, yet through allowing fireworks, this abuse and terrorisation continue.

Over New Year, most of the people setting off fireworks, do so after a lot of alcohol consumption and are therefore, in their inebriated state, not very responsible, thus making this activity even more dangerous especially as it is in close proximity to children and animals.

Many injuries result from this irresponsible behaviour; there have been cases of people and animals being badly hurt and in some cases even losing their limbs.

This physical scarring could so easily be avoided if we had regulations in place. We are not allowed to drive under the influence of alcohol but we can set off fireworks after having drinks. This does not make any sense!

Small babies, the elderly and animals, especially dogs experience extreme fear when fireworks are let off and this causes emotional scarring.

The use of fireworks has also caused serious friction between neighbours, communities, religious and ethnic groups.

In our community last year there was almost a large confrontation in one of our parks when a group of people unlawfully set off fireworks.

Many people have spoken about taking the “matter” into their own hands.

People are setting off fireworks in complexes, parks, in the street and their backyards.

They are behaving above the law, with no fear of prosecution.

Furthermore, they become aggressive when asked by their neighbours to stop.

Unfortunately the police do not respond when they are phoned.

Vendors are selling fireworks on street corners, flea markets, grocery shops and even at off-ramps of highways.

In some areas, shops have been opened for the sole purpose of selling fireworks with no fear that they will be shut down or fined.

It seems to be just a small group within our community that sets off fireworks.

It is very sad and grossly unfair that a small group be allowed to continue to cause so much harm to a whole community without any regard for times laid down, and the effect on neighbours, animals and wildlife.

There are Noise and Pollution Legislation Acts and Municipal bylaws but they are not being policed.

All municipalities have effectively failed their residents by not enacting the legislation and bylaws, in fact, they are protecting the interests of the inconsiderate and self-indulgent more than those of community-minded citizens.

Some suburbs have been very successful in curbing and even stopping the use of fireworks.

To be able to do that, we need to have a strong ratepayer’s association, excellent policing from the local police and security companies.

It can be done!

As a community, we need to protect our families, our young children, our animals and our wildlife from harm.

Has this country become so immune to violence against animals, women and children?

Has corruption and believing we are above the law becoming the norm that we have lost our ability to feel compassion and love for others?

Have we become a nation that puts self-interest before anything else?

People are getting angrier every year with fireworks. Legislation and Municipal bylaws have to be changed as well as policing becoming a priority!!!

Taryn Coghlan and Sharon Pettigrew