Fireworks draw few complaints
JANESVILLE — Even with an extended Fourth of July weekend this year, Janesville toned down the booms and bangs, and police saw fewer fireworks-related complaints than in 2009.
Deputy Chief John Olsen said police received 36 fireworks-related complaints on the Fourth of July. Police also received 10 complaints July 5, but most were holdovers from Sunday after midnight.
While police confiscated enough fireworks to fill a large garbage bag, they issued only one fireworks citation the entire weekend.
The numbers mark a steady decline since 2008. That year, police received 78 complaints and issued 29 citations on July 4. In 2009, they fielded 43 complaints and issued three citations.
Olsen said about a dozen officers were on patrol for each shift, with far fewer complaints on hold than previous years. He wasn’t sure why the number of complaints decreased but speculated that the slow economy might have deterred some residents from purchasing fireworks this year.
Janesville Fire Department Shift Cmdr. Bill Ruchti said there were no reports of injuries or property damage the entire weekend.
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Jul 10, 2010 at 11:37 p.m.
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Yes, I would call that property damage if it was my property and someone damaged it. It is unfortunate. If you don't mind me asking, how do you know they used a bat? Good job calling the JPD, I'm sure they'll have the crook apprehended almost instantaneously.
Jul 10, 2010 at 9:53 a.m.
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Interesting. . . my family had a back window broken out with a bat on the 4th. Isn't that considered property damage? Yes the police were called.
Jul 9, 2010 at 7:20 p.m.
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I agree Janesvillean, it was a lot quieter around here. People don't have money to Burn anymore.
Jul 9, 2010 at 4:33 p.m.
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It was definitely quieter in the Fourth Ward. I expected as much because we really didn't have much random pre-holiday fireworks, when in past years it's sort of been a continuous two-week run-up.
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