Most Coachella Valley cities do not allow fireworks to be purchased or (the more fun part) exploded. One city that does allow it, Cathedral City, had been considering the elimination of fireworks this year – but chose instead to delay a decision for another year (perhaps they were too busy getting catty with each other on Facebook to do work?).
Cat City is one of only five cities in Riverside County that still allows “safe and sane” firework sales – and though most cities have banned them , Cat City still allows them for the kids money.
The City allows 6 non-profits to sell the fireworks for a week prior to July 4th – oh, non-profits…so it is all about charity right? Well, not exactly. The Desert Sun explains…
Cathedral City is among five cities in Riverside County that allow safe and sane fireworks, permitting up to six nonprofits to raise funds through their sale every year. In return, the city collects fees from the organizations — $12,764 in 2014.
Not a bad business plan by the city, have Little Leaguers sling fireworks to their friends in the hot sun – only to have the city come in and take a pile of that cash away (hey, the city can’t give themselves big, fat raises without raising money somehow). Of course, there is no word on exactly how much of that money is then paid out by the city on emergencies caused by people blowing shit (or themselves) up in the driveway.
Nationally, there were 17,800 reported fireworks-related fires in 2011 – which resulted in direct damage estimated at $32 million dollars. 2012 saw 9,600 emergency room-treated injuries directly due to fireworks – of those, 44% were people under the age of 19.
Now while the fireworks may be dangerous and plenty of cities put on big firework shows for you to enjoy for free, one man explained to The Desert Sun that by taking away firework sales will lead kids into gangs and crime and homelessness…
“We’re doing this for the kids,” Dan Foster, with the youth softball and baseball league, said. “We’re trying to keep them out of trouble and give them good role models … If you take away this ordinance, a lot of leagues will fold and a lot of kids will be back on the streets doing whatever they’re doing.”
Bottom line: Sure they are plenty dangerous, but buy fireworks this year…or else little Jimmy will run away from home and join MS13.
