By Mandingo Osceloa Tshaka
It has been a year since I wrote a letter to the editor and our elected officials regarding the problem of fireworks being used throughout our community on the Fourth of July. This year, I saw no improvement in the enforcement of the law against those who choose to blow up dangerous and extremely loud explosive devices on a night that is supposed to honor our country. Where are these fireworks purchased? Why don’t the police arrest those selling and purchasing these devices, since it is illegal in New York state to do so?
The problem did not end at a reasonable hour on the July 4. I heard bombs going off until 5 a.m. on July 5. Where were the police of the 111th Precinct? I did not get any response after calling the local precinct twice. In fact, when I call the Community Affairs number on other days and leave a message, I never get a call back to discuss my concerns. I understand why some people refer to that precinct as a country club. This is unacceptable.
I am not calling the police on behalf of my own needs. I look around my community and see cars parked on the sidewalk at Star Nissan and the Dodge Auto dealerships. People have to walk in the street to get by. At the Dodge dealership, vehicles are being worked on right on the sidewalk at 213th Street. I see drug dealers in the playground by MS 158. I see large numbers of schoolchildren going to school and no police presence to protect them. The police can do and must do better.
On the night of July 4, I went out on my motorized wheel chair, wanting to see who was involved in setting off the explosive devices that can kill or maim. To my surprise, I did come across a patrol car by the Community Baptist Church here in Bayside, while a block away sounded like a war zone. Two officers were just sitting in the car claiming they were protecting the church. Who was protecting the citizens? The officers should have been patrolling up and down the streets to dissuade people from using the fireworks and ticketing those who did not curtail their use.
It was also disturbing to me that the intersection of 47th Avenue and 204th Street was blocked off by residents for a party. I do not begrudge people having a party, but I feel that it is dangerous to close off streets, especially when the chance of fire is greater on a day like July 4.
I also believe that the Fire Department should have had a presence on July 4. After all, if one of those exploding devices landed on a roof and did not detonate properly, a fire could start and burn a house down, with potential human casualties.
I think it is time for people to stop setting off fireworks for their own personal use. It is a nuisance to others and a potential danger to the users and their neighbors. Celebrate the Fourth by going to a professional display like the one at Fort Totten sponsored by Council Member Vallone and the Bayside Historical Society.
To really honor your counry, do something positive, like speaking out against injustice and discrimination. Help a neighbor. Be active in your community, not apathetic. Volunteer your time to help a child or senior citizen or a veteran. That’s what our country is about and that is the way we should honor and respect her on the anniversary of her birth.
Mandingo Osceola Tshaka
Bayside
