Talking with Charlie Beck (Los Angeles, San Diego: layoffs, gated, moving to)

[seain dublin]

Originally Posted by Patrolman

Bob, I have never doubted your tenacity and determination. If you recall, despite being FOS (according to you), I was a C-D supporter of your leash-law efforts. However, what good does it do by putting up signs if no one obeys them? People are still letting their dogs roam free despite the signs. The posted speed limit on our freeways is 65 mph, but how many people obey it? You can't realistically expect the LAPD to ignore other calls for service just to arrest people for fireworks violations. In other words, people are going to do what they want to do, despite all the laws you throw at them. I know better than anyone else on this forum. I lived it for 40 years.

Exactly, someone has "control issues".

The only other humans besides yourself that you can have control over are your minor children.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

The last thing we need is more laws and regulations. We have plenty of those already and few people to enforce what we have. Calling the Police Chief is not going to solve anything. I don't think it would be the best use of someone at that levels time.

My brother in law is on the LAPD and going after illegal fireworks is not something that he is overly concerned about. He has some real bad people that he is interested in taking off the streets.

Here is an idea: Since it is difficult to enforce, maybe a more awesome solution is to create areas where people can come and light their own fireworks. Set some ground rules, such as personal responsibility. You get hurt that is your problem. You hurt someone else than that is your problem. I don't think it will ever stop.

In Ventura County you can go to the city of Fillmore and buy them. The only problem with the Fireworks you can buy in Fillmore is that they stay on the ground. You have people driving to Mexico to get the good fireworks.

[CALGUY]

Originally Posted by Patrolman

Bob, I have never doubted your tenacity and determination. If you recall, despite being FOS (according to you), I was a C-D supporter of your leash-law efforts. However, what good does it do by putting up signs if no one obeys them? People are still letting their dogs roam free despite the signs. The posted speed limit on our freeways is 65 mph, but how many people obey it? You can't realistically expect the LAPD to ignore other calls for service just to arrest people for fireworks violations. In other words, people are going to do what they want to do, despite all the laws you throw at them. I know better than anyone else on this forum. I lived it for 40 years.

As with the leash law, I don't expect a complete end to illegal fireworks, just some good old enforcement to put a huge dent in the illegal use that is now prevalent in our neighborhoods.
One more reason, I want to speak with my city councilman.
Stricter enforcement, and much stricter penalties need to be put in place so that the penalty for being caught would be a definite deterrent to their illegal use.
I am aware the courts determine sentencing guidelines, but hopefully with the council on board, the guidelines would be more in line with other crimes in the area.

People, including those in law enforcement do not look at fireworks as a serious matter, but actually they are.
It would only take one spark in a hillside area to cause a catastrophic event, where many homes , and some lives could be lost.

You yourself stated above, "what good does it do to place signs in parks, if no body obeys them?"
The same could be said of the LAPD, the city council, and the fire department, when they have mailers sent out warning of the dangers of fireworks.
No one pays attention to them.

Again, what is needed is stricter enforcement,and penalties for people using illegal fireworks.
Perhaps what is missing in these city mailers is "If you are caught using illegal fireworks in the city of Los Angles, you will be find $1000.00 for each offense, and jail time, up to one year for a first offense, and back that up with much stricter enforcement.

I could go on , and on about this, but it would be just re-hashing what I have already said.
More police could be used to enforce the laws.
Money obviously is not the problem, when the council can vote 2 million dollars of taxpayer money, to defend illegal aliens if they are being deported.
That money could be better spent on a special group of police (perhaps 15 or 20 officers) whose sole duty would be to patrol our neighborhoods, and arrest those using illegal fireworks.

Bob.

[Patrolman]

Bob, keep us here on C-D in the loop on how all this pans out.

[SandyCo]

I also know someone who works at the LAPD, and believe me, fireworks are not exactly their priority. The real problem is with our society. Somehow we now have adults who think the laws don't apply to them, so they don't comply. If enough people act like this, there is no way to control all of them unless you really want to crack down and take away the freedoms we enjoy now. Jails are a revolving door. I don't even know if lighting up illegal fireworks is misdemeanor or a felony. Even if 10% of these offenders are arrested and jailed, then what? The others are still out there, and pets all over the city are still traumatized. I don't like fireworks either, but realistically speaking, this is a problem that isn't going to go away soon.

[jm1982]

Originally Posted by SandyCo

I also know someone who works at the LAPD, and believe me, fireworks are not exactly their priority. The real problem is with our society. Somehow we now have adults who think the laws don't apply to them, so they don't comply. If enough people act like this, there is no way to control all of them unless you really want to crack down and take away the freedoms we enjoy now. Jails are a revolving door. I don't even know if lighting up illegal fireworks is misdemeanor or a felony. Even if 10% of these offenders are arrested and jailed, then what? The others are still out there, and pets all over the city are still traumatized. I don't like fireworks either, but realistically speaking, this is a problem that isn't going to go away soon.

I do agree there has been a breakdown in society . I think a big issue is the breakdown of families .
There are a high amount of children born out of wedlock and also to parents that divorce .

If you look at these cases of criminals and gangbangers it's a pretty common story that things are not good at home .

Many point to poverty but I think the bigger issue is the family issues. It's just more politically incorrect to talk about it though.

I doubt even 1 percent of people actually get caught for illegal fireworks . I have only heard of people caught for selling them, but not setting them off .

[Exitus Acta Probat]

Bob, have you looked into the noise cancellation speakers?

[Crashj007]

In Connecticut they are trying to stop 4th of July fireworks because it is bothering some nesting eagles.
It also disturbs vets with PTSD.
"imagine there's no fireworks"

[CALGUY]

Originally Posted by Crashj007

In Connecticut they are trying to stop 4th of July fireworks because it is bothering some nesting eagles.
It also disturbs vets with PTSD.
"imagine there's no fireworks"

That would be a dream come true.
If that were the case here in LosAngeles, the cops would come out and shoot the eagles.

Bob.

[Patrolman]

Originally Posted by CALGUY

That would be a dream come true.
If that were the case here in LosAngeles, the cops would come out and shoot the eagles.

Bob.

I was wondering why we had shotguns in our patrol cars!