If I am in New Orleans on New Year’s Eve, my time is spent at home asleep or at Fahy’s in the Quarter after a short jaunt to Jackson Square and back at midnight. So, I’ve never attended that evening’s bonfire in Mid-City and probably never will. But, what irks me about the City government’s decision to cancel the bonfire is their sudden obsession with “illegal and dangerous” in this particular case. For God’s sake, there are dangerous criminals practically holding the streets of this city hostage with the illegal weapons in their possession and an enjoyable bonfire is what concerns NOPD? Time and resources are being spent on an anti-bonfire informational session when dead husks of homes go up in flames in various NOLA neighborhoods creating actual threats to safety? As Michael Homan asks, “Why not try to ticket the hundreds of people who shoot firearms in the air on New Years [which has resulted in deaths as opposed to the bonfire]?”
It sounds to me like someone wants to put something “proactive” on their End Of Year report and this is the most convenient scapegoat they could find. Punish real criminals, not the bonfire. And quit finding fluffy excuses not to do your job.
I know I’m almost totally alone on this one, but I have to disagree with you, Maitri. This falls under the jurisdiction of the Fire Department, not the police, so saying they should be chasing more dangerous criminals instead is not really relevant.
It seems pretty straightforward to me. There are laws about fires, whether it’s a trash fire or a campfire in your backyard or a bonfire. It is the Fire Department’s job to enforce those laws. Would you want them to pick and choose which laws to enforce, when and where and for whom? I know where I stand: there are laws and they must be enforced uniformly.
I also think they are acting in a responsible manner. They put out a public notice ahead of time which I think was the responsible way to go about this. They could have just showed up that night with fire hoses and battle gear like Gestapo, but they did not. I think that also speaks to the professionalism and genuine concern for public safety.
The solution is quite simple: get a permit. Residents and participants should talk to Councilmembers Midura or Fielkow or even the Fire Department to see what is required to get a permit and take appropriate actions to make it happen. Screaming at city officials at a public meeting is the most unproductive thing that could have been done, in my opinion.
Peace,
Tim