Ordinance for Bridgeport fireworks ban gains support

BRIDGEPORT – Public support for a resolution to ban fireworks within the city limits was endorsed by city resident Ken Krugel who addressed the regular city council meeting on Wednesday, August 21. Krugel has some perspective on the problem.

“Fireworks were a serious problem this year,” said Krugel. I’ve watched it for 27 years, and every year it proceeds to get worse.”

Krugel said this year he had to contend with fireworks being set off well after July 4rh.

“My last call to the sheriff’s department was on the 20th of July,” Krugel said.

A deputy responded at the neighbor’s residence Krugel called to report.

“Everything stopped for an hour,” said Krugel. “Then several large ones were set off at the very same place.” 

Krugel said he took that as a message, a warning, that he could call authorities if he wished, but the fireworks would continue regardless. What concerned him was a three-and-a-half-acre field full of tall dry grass separating the two homes and the wind blowing toward his.

“If one of those had set off a fire – and they very well could have – the best our fire department could have done might have been to block off the rest of my property by the time it burned down.”

Krugel said passing an ordinance – with some enforcement teeth - is the most responsible thing the city leaders could do. 

“Take it seriously,” urged Krugel. “Other places are taking it seriously. We are in a fire-prone area, and we are not safe when it comes to things like that.”

Mayor Sergio Orozco told Krugel that he has spoken with sheriff’s deputies and told them to dispense with education advisories and begin writing citations. He added that he is working with the city attorney on the ordinance under discussion.

Clerk/treasurer Judy Brown clarified that state law requires a 12-month period for a city to put an ordinance into effect.  

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media