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Fireworks have long been a problem for Logan Township Supervisor Ron Heller, because they trigger memories of his time in combat in Vietnam.
For a while, he was able to spend the evening of July 4 at a relative's farm near Warrior's Mark, but the relative has died, so that's no longer possible, Heller said at a recent meeting.
For the sake of people like him, for owners of pets who get frightened and even run away due to the noise of fireworks and for the sake of others simply bothered by the noise, the township will be emphasizing enforcement of fireworks regulations, officials said at a recent supervisors' meeting.
"For us combat vets, you can't imagine what it's like," Heller said.
"It's not just veterans," said Supervisors Chairman Jim Patterson.
Last year, some people in the township "blatantly abused" fireworks, said Supervisor Ed Frontino.
Some were "shooting them off at midnight," Frontino said.
The township was "pretty tolerant" then, he added.
Tolerance is not the intention this year, according to officials.
For the upcoming holiday, the police department will stagger patrols in hopes of keeping things under control, said Police Chief Dave Reese.
According to the ordinance, setting off fireworks is prohibited:
-- Between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m.
- On any township property, including a street or sidewalk or in a park.
- On any other property without the owner's permission.
- Within 150 feet of an occupied structure, including one's own house.
- If under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance.
Additionally, no one may throw a firecracker or sparkler from or into a vehicle or building.
Enforcement isn't easy, because fireworks go off and then things get quiet, one official said.
Still, "there could be consequences" for violations, Frontino said.
"Just be respectful," Patterson said.
Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.