To the editor

Pets and the Fourth

 We are closing on the 250th birthday of America. A joyful time, for certain, except for pets. The City of Las Cruces has an ordinance prohibiting aerial fireworks, but might as well not have one, since it is disregarded every year by the public and there are no consequences.

I reached LCPD with my concerns, silence was the response. I live in an area of Las Cruces which should be policed during the 4th of July celebrations, since many of the "prohibited rockets" land on my property and my roof, (which necessitates that I have my garden hose ready to extinguish a potential fire), furthermore my dogs are driven insane by the constant barrage of fireworks all around us.

I thought that the public display of aerial fireworks paid for by us from our taxes was a way of celebrating the 4th of July safely, done by professionals and firemen standing ready to extinguish any fire caused by accidents which could occur even when professionals are involved.

I guess I am wrong, since every year is the same thing, banned fireworks all around where I live, no police intervention or preventive patrolling of the area known to be a problem because citizens do not care about a law and the police department does not enforce violations to that law. Maybe this year will be different, but I am not holding my breath.

William Quintana

Las Cruces