We must help end fireworks abuse cycle

Without fail, there are community issues that just refuse to go away.

No matter what gets said beforehand, no matter how many warnings, promises or discussions, some things never change.

We all knew that along with the joyous Diwali celebrations – the Hindu ‘festival of lights’ so vital and inspiring to many – would come the traditional use of fireworks.

And even though permissions were obtained for the controlled (space and time) discharging of these fireworks, it was a foregone conclusion that others would recklessly let off firecrackers with no regard for by-laws, neighbourhood peace and quiet, time of day, or the welfare of animals.

The outcome is predicable, and the press and municipalities will this week be flooded with letters of complaint.

It will be no different when it comes to Guy Fawkes, either.

This time next year we will be regurgitating the same stories we have carried over many years.

For the cycle to stop, a few measures are necessary.

One is that places are identified for legal fireworks demonstrations, away from residential areas.

Again, the ZCBF showgrounds is the ideal type of venue.

Another is that there are adequate by-laws to protect citizens: these must include the sale, possession and use of fireworks.

We have these by-laws…but they are not being enforced.

As with much of the country’s legislation, from the Constitution downwards, the problem is that often we don’t have the mechanisms, manpower or the will to give our laws effect.

Even if, say, one police van and one nuisance inspector in both Empangeni and Richards Bay were dedicated to monitoring the illegal use of fireworks over the weekend, they would hardly have made a difference and would have had to race around following the bangs.

True, there would have been some arrests to perhaps deter others, but they could never be at every place where fireworks are being randomly lit.

This is a community issue which the community alone can resolve, with the authorities.

Why not establish ‘monitors’, perhaps under the auspices of the SPCAs and Community Policing Forums, that could put hundreds of people out on the streets with notebooks and cameras so that violators can be identified and later prosecuted?

For punishment, they can be made to do community service at the SPCA.