According to a local blogger, on July 4, 2012, hundreds of Hyde Park residents' lives were endangered by an illegal fireworks show -- a show the Chicago Police Department completely ignored.
A July 5, 2012 article posted by Chicago Pop at Hyde Park Progress, claims illegal, professional-grade fireworks were detonated in a grassy area of Harold Washington Park at 5200 South Hyde Park Boulevard, on the city's South Side.
Some of the explosives were so power, they not only left large patches of scorched grass, they actually require a federal license to own and operate them.
When Hyde Park Progress contacted 4th Ward Alderman Willie D. Burns' office to inquire if permits had been issued for the Harold Washington Park fireworks display... the alderman's office reportedly said they were virtually certain the fireworks were illegal.
"For approximately half an hour, the safety of hundreds of people on the lakefront and dozens of passing motorists was endangered by a barrage of powerful, professional-grade pyrotechnics shot off directly over their heads," said Chicago Pop.
Pop also accused the CPD of ignoring concerned citizens' repeated 911 calls. In this criticism, Hyde Park is not alone.
While monitoring the police scanner during Independence Day, Chicago News Report heard several North Side police officers instruct dispatch operators to basically ignore any anonymous calls complaining about fireworks.
The police would only respond if the 911 caller wanted to speak to an officer, said the directive.
But... what if illegal fireworks were set-off right in front of a cop? Would the perpetrators be arrested or fined?
Well, according to a video shot in Chicago's West Town neighborhood, the answer is, no.
The narrative attached to a YouTube video entitled, Private Chicago Fireworks Show, boasts that Chicago police officers were not only present when explosives were launched dangerously close to power lines, the cops gave the offenders 5 minutes to wrap up their entertainment.
The video description also seems to suggest the cops were paid to look the other way.
"We had our little ahem... private show =$ ....with the cops sitting nearby enjoying it too! This was the semi-finale, of course after the cops giving us a 5-minute warning of the "Noise ordinance" However, no big deal for the possession of kick ass EXPLOSIVES!!" said YouTube user Diloca25.
Now... realistically, with all the extreme madness that went down on July 4th, the CPD had to use their manpower wisely and it's not their fault the city refuses to hire enough officers to adequately police this zoo of a city.
However, we're just glad no innocent bystanders were injured by these overlooked, illegal fireworks.
Photo credit: HydeParkProgress.blogspot.com
There were fireworks all over the city in every neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteWhy should cops waste their time on fireworks when the laws are routinely flouted and the case would be tossed anyway.
The concerned citizen should join the real world and find something meaningful to get riled up over - and sit back and enjoy the fireworks.
I'd rather police focus on the real problems, like keeping the ghetto thugs out of the north side, than worrying about fireworks on a night when there are literally hundreds if not thousands of fireworks being shot off.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the point of having laws and ordinances if the police are not going to enforce them? Breaking the law is just that and the police, though short handed, must enforce all the laws they put out there. Picking and choosing is not an option. No wonder chaos reigns supreme in Chicago.
ReplyDeleteHow many shootings, stabbings and muggings where there on the 3rd and 4th? I don't know the number, but I know as far as Shootings, the Trib was already reporting a high number by late evening (pre-midnight) on the 3rd.
ReplyDeleteI understand that fireworks are dangerous, but we have a severe lack of cops and we have a very high crime rate right now, I too was listening to the North Side police scanners. There was a lot of other crimes going on that they needed to deal with and they didn't have the cops to spare. That combined with the extreme heat and the well being checks... They can't be everywhere at once.
As for the cops who were sitting and watching, shame on them, they needed to be working. Unless they were on their lunch breaks.
The Clearing neighborhood was blasting for weeks prior to and day after this July 4th. On July 4th the madness began at 10 am and lastest until 2 am July 5th. There was not one minute that you did not hear a firecracker. Not 5 minutes you didn't hear a 1/2 stick of dynamite or similiar dangerous explosives. The Police can't be everywhere but, if they started by having a MEDIA NEWS CONFERENCE prior to the 4th of July alerting citizens that FIREWORKS ARE ILLEGAL AND THOSE FOUND WITH THEM OR SHOOTING THEM OFF WILL BE ARRESTED AND FINED... MAYBE THAT WOULD HELP COMBAT THE MADNESS. We as taxpayers have the right to live in a peaceful ENFORCED environment. In the 1960's the Police had no problem controlling the fireworks. People actually were arrested an fined.
ReplyDeleteThere is no reason why laws can't be enforced. Don't make laws if you can't enforce them.
Common sense will tell you when fireworks are allowed to rein the city on July 4th with no intervention from the Police, shootings and crimes with be up. How can one tell the difference between a gunshot and a firework? Masking the environment with explosives can lead to other crimes being committed. The Police and the City need to do something about the situation. If fireworks are illegal, then who is in charge to enforce the laws? Does an entire family have to die in their car while driving thru an area where dangerous explosives are allowed to be lit and thrown in the street setting a fire to the vehicle? Does a child have to loose an arm or leg? Perhaps an entire neighborhood needs to be engulfed in flames before something is done regarding illegal fireworks. Other Citys and towns control their laws. Why can't the City of Chicago?
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