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Vanity of the bonfires
By adamg on Thu, 07/05/2012 - 7:35pm
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Comments
I was there
Absolute over reaction by the police. The fires are actually done on July 3rd and have been going on since the mid-50's. The video done by Channel 4 does not do justice to this absurdity pulled off by our "first responders".
At 915 the police rolled up onto the beach, onto the only two lots in Humarock that extend to the high tide line, with the front end loader and proceeded to crush this "combustible material". Thus illegal search and seizure on private property.
We counted 20 cops, yes 20, around the monster; Scituate, State, and at least two Cohasset "Special Operations" motorcycle cops creating a perimeter while the contraband was then hosed by a firefighter while being supervised by the fire chief. Thus 23 public employees stopping responsible adults from having a fire below the hide tide line. This does not count the ones hanging back on Alden Street.
The Scituate authorities did warn certain families do back off on the days leading up to the third. There was much idiocy on both sides but the Powell Doctrine actions by the Police was unnecessary.
The real problem in Humarock on July 3rd is underage drinking. The fires and fireworks, yes, which are illegal, so is going over the speed limit and jay walking by the way, are done responsibly each and every year. Parents need to police the drinking so this can go back to being a fun event.
I lost a tremendous amount of respect for the police on Tuesday night.
The historical solution to
The historical solution to drinking, bonfires, and fireworks creating chaos wasn't police action - it was municipally-sponsored or -approved bonfires. Get everyone working together, safely, to make a bonfire that dwarves individual efforts, and things go remarkably well. Scituate, and other Mass communities, used to do exactly that. It's a shame they don't anymore.
And they didn't mess around
Quincy, 1935.
Still Bonfires in Quincy
We have seen them every year we have been at Wessagusset Beach for the fireworks on July 3. I don't know if they are municipal or just traditional works by the land owners. They seem pretty organized - never too large, spaced out, etc.
If Scituate is worried about houses catching fire, perhaps they should go on an all-out pogrom against ancient radios permanently installed in kitchen cabinetry instead. Those seem to have caused more problems as of late.
Buy them new toys
and they find ways and justifications to use them.
Why
Why did the town outlaw bonfires when it was an electrical appliance that started the fire that burned four houses? Wouldn't it make more sense to ban electrical appliances? Or is the board of selectmen just looking for an easy way to appear to promoting safety without actually doing anything?
Doesn't anyone ask the BOS these questions when they dream up these rules?