Carlsbad made a decision to set penalties for setting off illegal fireworks, and the effect was clearly noticed at our home on July 4th. We had complained many times to our City Council member that our portion of Old 101 is a favorite, go-to place to set off fireworks. This year was different, with the new $1,000 fine for a conviction. Our neighborhood was eerily silent before 10 p.m. Then, at about 11 p.m., someone dared to set off about a dozen Roman candles. After that, our pets were spared any more terror.
The benefits of no personal fireworks should propel our legislators to ban fireworks statewide.
— Gerald Lance Johannsen, Carlsbad