EDITORIAL - Many media outlets are reporting that individuals who discharge illegal fireworks may face fines of up to $ 3,000 per firework found at their residence. But those of you lighting these fireworks in the city of Madera need not worry. The Chief of Police doesn't feel it's worth enforcing those laws.
So, if you live in the area of West Fourth Street and Hilton Street, don't worry; the cops don't care what you're doing. Heck, they don't care that you're doing donuts in the street outside your rented house either. If you live near the corner of West Third and Shannon Drive, the cops don't care what you are doing either. They also don't care about the parties where you have a paid bar selling alcohol to minors.
These are just two houses that could be staked out on the Fourth and have a guaranteed arrest in a two-block area. Can you imagine how many other houses in Madera have a known history of endangering all of our homes that Madera PD has been warned about?
Perhaps instead of calling PD to report these houses, report them to your city councilperson or the city manager and inform them that the police have ignored your complaints. We couldn't do anything about the weeds in the Fresno River until two houses were lost to fire. Hopefully, we can do something about illegal fireworks before another family loses their home to a senseless fire.
