Publish to Newswire
Add an EventFrom the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
4th of July in West Oakland: "the entire city was a war zone"
Okay, it wasn't literally a war zone, just a bunch of extremely loud fireworks in every direction. As the very real war in Iraq continues to take lives and waste resources, Americans across the country delighted themselves in jingoistic small-town parades and/or shows of light and thunder in the night sky. In Oakland, neighborhood fireworks give the professional displays a run for their money. The threats of "zero-tolerance" for fireworks made by authorities beforehand apparently failed to dim the annual nighttime show in the East Bay this July 4th, as viewed from a West Oakland rooftop.
==========================================================
WARNING BEFORE:
Fireworks violations to spark large fines (6/29/05)
Oakland police and firefighters are taking a zero-tolerance approach to fireworks leading up to the Fourth of July and are warning that violations could lead to $1,000 fines.
The city's annual campaign led to a drop in fireworks use last year on the evenings leading up to Independence Day, although residents complained that there seemed to be a jump in fireworks use on the night of the Fourth of July, said City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente.
This year, police assigned to handle fireworks violations plan to visit households that were the subject of complaints last year and warn them, according to police Capt. Cyril Vierra. Officers also will try to determine who is selling fireworks.
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/06/29/BAEBDIGEST3.DTL&hw=fireworks&sn=010&sc=457
==========================================================
REPORT AFTER:
Widespread Illegal Fireworks (7/6/05)
Police in Oakland had a tough time controlling hundreds of revelers who set off fireworks at dozens of locations.
Authorities reported that illegal fireworks were set off all over the Bay Area. In Oakland, authorities and residents reported hundreds of incidents on Monday night, with dozens of amateur displays visible in the sky above East Oakland.
Oakland police, who toughened up city ordinances against fireworks last year, were expected to release a report on the incidents and arrests later this week. Numerous residents reported loud explosions that rattled windows.
Lt. Kevin Wiley said in an e-mail message sent to community groups that officers worked all night and many times found themselves outnumbered by rowdy crowds.
"By 10 p.m., it appeared the entire city was a war zone," wrote Wiley, who commanded a team of 18 officers. "It was not unusual for officers to confront groups of 20-30 people setting off fireworks. We were clearly outmanned and did not have the resources necessary to effectively deal with the worst areas."
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/07/06/BAGBVDJIRU1.DTL&hw=fireworks&sn=007&sc=520
==========================================================
WARNING BEFORE:
Fireworks violations to spark large fines (6/29/05)
Oakland police and firefighters are taking a zero-tolerance approach to fireworks leading up to the Fourth of July and are warning that violations could lead to $1,000 fines.
The city's annual campaign led to a drop in fireworks use last year on the evenings leading up to Independence Day, although residents complained that there seemed to be a jump in fireworks use on the night of the Fourth of July, said City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente.
This year, police assigned to handle fireworks violations plan to visit households that were the subject of complaints last year and warn them, according to police Capt. Cyril Vierra. Officers also will try to determine who is selling fireworks.
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/06/29/BAEBDIGEST3.DTL&hw=fireworks&sn=010&sc=457
==========================================================
REPORT AFTER:
Widespread Illegal Fireworks (7/6/05)
Police in Oakland had a tough time controlling hundreds of revelers who set off fireworks at dozens of locations.
Authorities reported that illegal fireworks were set off all over the Bay Area. In Oakland, authorities and residents reported hundreds of incidents on Monday night, with dozens of amateur displays visible in the sky above East Oakland.
Oakland police, who toughened up city ordinances against fireworks last year, were expected to release a report on the incidents and arrests later this week. Numerous residents reported loud explosions that rattled windows.
Lt. Kevin Wiley said in an e-mail message sent to community groups that officers worked all night and many times found themselves outnumbered by rowdy crowds.
"By 10 p.m., it appeared the entire city was a war zone," wrote Wiley, who commanded a team of 18 officers. "It was not unusual for officers to confront groups of 20-30 people setting off fireworks. We were clearly outmanned and did not have the resources necessary to effectively deal with the worst areas."
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/07/06/BAGBVDJIRU1.DTL&hw=fireworks&sn=007&sc=520
==========================================================
Add Your Comments
Comments
(Hide Comments)
There was a nice (though distant) view of the professional waterfront display in SF from the top of Dolores Park, but yeah, the show was just as good driving back thru west oakland.
Perhaps you should go back to your toys. War is for adults. (But you were so brave, with the police around and everything. It rocks, dude.)
Those are excellent photos. Thanks.
The photos are nice to look at but don't tell the whole story.
As others have commented here, the extreme noise (until 1 a.m.), the air pollution, and the trash left by irrespnsible and stupid fireworks users is the way many commemorate a revolutionary moment.
Symbolic bombs bursting in air while a real war rages, global warming melts glaciers, and extreme poverty starves millions just shows how ignorant most Americans are.
As others have commented here, the extreme noise (until 1 a.m.), the air pollution, and the trash left by irrespnsible and stupid fireworks users is the way many commemorate a revolutionary moment.
Symbolic bombs bursting in air while a real war rages, global warming melts glaciers, and extreme poverty starves millions just shows how ignorant most Americans are.
oh boo freakin hoo, the glaciers are melting, the war is raging, the sky is falling. more mindless shreaks and shrills from the liberal backwash. fireworks are my right as an american. every 4th of july my friends and i gather around the campfire and enjoy our backyard display. we do this because it's fun, and because it's a good way for families to get together and celebrate the vacation. but most importantly to comemerate the founding of this great country. now i know yuo hate america and wish we were all sheep to the UN but not many share your twisted view. the war "rages" on to protect my right to do so, to protect our way of life. and believe it or not (unfortunatley) it even protects your right to be an idiot.
Obviously a troll and another victim of Fox news/AM -whackjob radio lies and propaganda. Runs before the facts start flying.
HA!!! Someone telling me to get an edjucation when they post under someone elses name. Proving once again that liberals are stupid and should have thier sex organs removed before they are alowed to have offpring. Do humanity a favor and "have yourself spayed or neutered", before you accidentaly tinkle in the gene pool.
Don't you have a "save the one horned, flying speckled, hollow humper" rally to go to?
Don't you have a "save the one horned, flying speckled, hollow humper" rally to go to?
When you'd like to debate the Bush administration's failed policies. I'd like to see you support your arguments/assertions with links/sources please. No hollow regurgitated Fox news/AM radio soundbites. Let's see what you got...
I love illegal fireworks. Thank you for the pics and video.
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Donate
$200.00 donated
in the past month
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network