WATERVILLE, Maine — The Fourth of July was certainly a busy one for Waterville police, as they handled 27 fireworks complaints on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to Deputy Chief Charles Rumsey.
Consumer fireworks are illegal in Waterville, and two people were summoned — one Tuesday and one Wednesday — for using the devices.
“One subject was holding two Roman candles and shooting them up in the air, the other had fireworks shooting off from his porch,” said Rumsey.
Jake Dumas, 26, had been shooting fireworks from his porch on Tuesday night while Harley Feyler, 30, was holding onto the Roman candle and shooting the fireworks, Rumsey said.
“Twenty-seven calls for service on that one particular reason in that 24-hour period is a lot,” he said.
In both cases where summons were issued, officers were able to observe the men using the fireworks, according to Rumsey.
Fines range between $200 and $400 for the first fireworks offense, and between $300 and $600 after that.
“It’s important for folks to know in Waterville the ordinance is passed prohibiting any use of them whatsoever,” Rumsey said.
I’ve been hearing lots of fireworks in Portland over the last couple of weeks.. They are illegal here, too.
Seriously? You are going to waste precious money and resources because you cant handle a liitle noise? Try and remember that when someone is in real trouble but the police are tied up with a bunch of unimportant complaints. I dont like the noise either but I am not about to call the cops about it. The satisfaction of knowing it will eventually be over is good enough for me.
Complaints have skyrocketed since fireworks have become legal. Before it was kind of a non-issue. I enjoyed Maine the way it was peaceful and quiet. I’m sure a lot of Maine citizens would agree. Before you would hear them here and there around the 4th. But to have them 365 days a year is absurd! They have no real benefit. The only thing people can do is to call the cops or contact their legislator. If something is going on illegally which is the case in Waterville then the cops should be called!
I agree…if it’s not the 4th or some other holiday, it’s usually drunks, teens, or hillbillies shooting them off. I have nothing against these “stereotypes” but when it comes down to it, it usually isn’t your typical businessman, nurse, etc. shooting them off.
Do you have statistics to back up your claim? Hillbillies in Maine. Do you have any proof whatsoever?
If you had elderly 85 year old parents who could not get to sleep night after night would you call that an “important” police call?
Nope, I wouldnt.
Glad you’re not my kid. Half of these elderly people are probably having heart attacks when they go off.
My mother is 86 an she loved the fire works we had here On that same though the elderly people that live in towns an cities were there were public fire works did they have hart attacks every time one went off
Not sure, maybe some…When it’s not expected though (especially where some of these people’s hearing is not as good as it once was,) they can sound like shots being fired. They jump me sometimes if I don’t see the pretty bursts in the sky. :)
wolly these folks your never going to please. They are mad about everything. They are mad that Casinos are here, They are mad that the Waterfront Concerts are success, and now Fireworks sales are skyrocketing (no pun intended). I was surprised here in Madison folks in my neighborhood. I thought were too high “maintenance” to ever do it they shot them instead of me it was nice taking a backseat to it and enjoying it. As I stated to you in the other article in the other rag putting it off till weekend. These folks wolly are never going to stop complaining over things. They don’t like it that LePage has got things headed in the right direction. Well they can go drink the kool-aid and be miserable because life is good here in Maine now.
Yes i know thats there gold in life to make unhappy real mainers live an let live
Right. Just more lies and scare tactics coming from Liberals who are angry because they lost power. These folks are mad because they can’t screw up our lives and steal our money anymore for their wealth redistribution scams. First its the noise, then we hear my dogs are scared, old folks are scared etc.. What Bull. Liberals would rather us all be on welfare and turn into radical treehuggers embracing Quimby’s Park. It’s time the Liberals go find someone else to make miserable. These folks wouldn’t know good entertainment if they ever saw it. Alot of Elderly Folks in my neighborhood they were shocked when I let the neighbors do the fireworks instead , will wait and do all of mine this weekend. Had a good time here in Madison and will do so this weekend when I shoot mine off. But those who want to be miserable you always have MSDNC, MPBN and a book to read to ease your pains.
Heart attacks? Are you dreaming? If half the elderly in the State had heart attacks caused by fireworks don’t you think it would be in the news? Hat on to tight or your hair pulled back to tight?
I’ll try again, what about a young kid back home from Iraq with PTSD? Any sympathy for your neighbors kid who got blown out of a HUM V and watched his buddy lose a limb? These kids are among us this summer-I know one young man don’t you? Explosions around the block just can’t be helpful to these young warriors who have come home looking for some R&R. I’m sure that many war veterans don’t like fireworks-would you if you had been through what they have experienced?
Sorry the police run on priority – obviously they would leave a misdemeanor offense to respond to a life threatening situation.
Just like they do if they have someone pulled over for speeding.
The story said that fireworks are illegal in Waterville. That’s why they had the complaints and the police had to investigate.
Last night I was walking to a convience stare when I saw a person set off fireworks that somehow fell down and the firework hit the store and rebounded down the street.
That same person then let off a whole bunch of fireworks and the smoke created cut visabilty down to a couple feet on the main road thru town.
Both instances could have resulted in an accident and maybe personal injuries or death. You are going to see a lot more town restricting firework use inside town limits because of incidents like these.
Fourth of July in T1, R1, NBKP, (Just south of Rockwood). Plenty of fireworks…and no complainers . Nice!
I’m very familiar with your area, I worked for Scott Paper on the drives in the early seventies and lived on the “Katahdin. However, here in Greater Bangor area the homes are clustered very close and are often occupied with folks that have no regard for their neighbors. When the phone rings on some of these streets, 5 people go for theirs.NO PLACE FOR FIREWORKS. The cities shoot them over the rivers, lakes and ocean for good reason.
I totally agree, I was born and raised in Lewiston. Same thing there. There’s a place for everything.
I lived up at Seboomook one summer. I’ll never foget the cold beer sold at the store in Rockwood out of one of those coolers with just cold water. My truck had hole in the floor so we’d hit Rockwood pretty dry and dusty.
Fireworks injuries send 21 to hospitalshttp://www.omaha.com/article/20120703/NEWS/707049911/0
A fireworks explosion in Pelham, N.H., sent seven people — two of them children — to the hospital
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20220704home_fireworks_explosion_injures_9_in_pelham_nh/
Fireworks hit Sabattus man in face
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/maine/2012/07/02/sabattus-man-sustains-injury-private-fireworks-sho/1218020
LOL at the Bangor Daily News for trying to make a huge story out of the new fireworks law. I don’t even necessarily like the law, but I can’t tell you how surprised I am by how few problems it has actually created. BDN, let it go…