Be responsible when celebrating freedom

The Fourth of July has arrived again, but as the holiday marks our nation’s freedom ? the 230th 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 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 worked hard to rein in the partygoers, but public drunkenness and fighting remain annual challenges for officers and less-rowdy neighbors.

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 of July the way it should be celebrated: by using our freedom responsibly.