Celebrate the Fourth responsibly

The Fourth of July has arrived again, but while the holiday marks our

nation’s freedom -- the 227th year of it -- those freedoms must be

respected and not overextended.

In Newport-Mesa, there are many ways to celebrate the Fourth. In

Newport Beach, there are the Dunes’ fireworks, the 48th Fourth of

July Boat Parade, the 30th annual Independence Day Celebration at

Mariners Park, the beach and, of course, the unofficial gathering in

West Newport.

The latter is where celebrating freedom can be abused. The city

has made a few decisions to rein in the partyers, including deploying

30% more police officers and tripling the fines. Last year, about 160

people were arrested. Public drunkenness and fighting were among the

violations.

There are plenty of ways to celebrate in West Newport, and

drinking is among them. But alcohol can be enjoyed responsibly, and

fights are absolutely unnecessary during times of celebration. The

forefathers of our country fought so that those who lived after them

wouldn’t have to.

In Costa Mesa, there’s another long-standing tradition for the

celebration of our nation’s independence: setting off fireworks. But,

again, it’s another freedom that can be abused.

Driving around Costa Mesa, there are fireworks stands everywhere.

Within those stands are Piccolo Petes, ground flowers, sparklers and

other awe-inspiring fireworks. While those who created the different

fireworks had one sane intention for them, there are others out there

who know far too well how to make them much more dangerous.

For the sake of innocent bystanders and their properties, it would

behoove everyone igniting fireworks to do so wisely and without

altering their uses. And, of course, there is no need to throw the

fireworks into the air or to find illegal fireworks and shoot those

into the air. Abusing this puts lives and property at stake.

Let’s celebrate the Fourth the way it should be celebrated: using

our freedom responsibly.