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Robert Glenn and Kelly Cochrane shop for fireworks at Sky King in suburban West Palm Beach. Cochrane said her birthday was also on July 4. (Damon Higgins / The Palm Beach Post)
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The aisles of Sky King Fireworks are piled high with bottle rockets, firecrackers, reloadable shells. Things that launch into the air and explode.
And they’re illegal.
Yet on Wednesday morning, business was steady.
Why? Well because the customers here – and at other fireworks stores and stands across town and across the state – are willing to lie (or sign their names on a legal waiver without question) to get them.
And no one is about to call them on it.
Renee stands at the check out counter loaded with things that go bang for the upcoming Fourth of July.
Before the clerk takes her money, she must sign a one-page “verification certificate.”
“I read it last year, it’s like they are not responsible and we could be held liable …”
Actually, the waiver states she’s going to use these fireworks to scare birds from crops, use it as a railroad signal, or to quarry stone.
Is that the case?
No.
Among the deterrents used to dissuade people from buying fireworks was a photographic demonstration of what a firework does to a watermelon in a person's hands. (Courtesy Broward Sheriff's Office)
A Palm Beach County fire-rescue captain a few aisles over is trying to pick which fireworks are most suitable for his kids.
“Nowadays you can buy all this stuff, you can have your own private fireworks show,” he says.
But when he learns that they’re illegal, that the only legal firewoks in the state are sparklers and things that stay on the ground, he’s not so sure he wants to say much more.
But he still signs the waiver and buys them.
“Some people call it a loophole, I call it conforming to the law,” said Tom Gregor, the owner at Sky King, located on Military Trail west of West Palm Beach.
He argues that some customers read that sheet of paper very carefully. Some take copies home.
If they ask him what it all means?
“I say you read it and interpret it. It’s real cut and dry,” Gregor said.
But Gregor’s business doesn’t rise and fall by the agrarian calendar. He says his business is best July 3 and 4, and New Year’s comes in third. He’ll stay open until midnight Saturday.
Among the statements you can choose to sign off on: “I’m making this purchase to be used in quarrying or for blasting or other industrial use.”
The bottom line you must sign:
“I acknowledge and agree that: I have reviewed chapter 791, Florida Statutes (2003). My purchase falls within the exemptions granted by sections 91, 791.04, and I will abide by the provisions of chapter 791, Florida statutes in the use and disposal of these fireworks.”
Call the state Department of Agriculture’s spokesman Terence McElroy to inquire and mention that all the rush to buy fireworks this weekend couldn’t possibly be the result of a coordinated winged attack on local crops and fisheries or a sudden need to quarry, the spokesman will say this:
“Now we don’t enforce that of course. To the extent it is enforced, it is enforced at the local level.”
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s officials issued a statement this week urging people to forego buying fireworks — they’re illegal.
“Don’t sign the waivers in order to purchase fireworks …
“A waiver will not clear you of responsibility should you be caught using illegal fireworks,” the sheriff’s warning to the public says.
It is a misdemeanor and carries up to a $1,000 fine.
But of course, first someone has to catch you.
“One thing about fireworks, when they go off, so does the evidence,” said sheriff’s spokesman Eric Davis.
On Wednesday, sheriff’s deputies and fire-rescue officials conducted surprise inspections at seven fireworks tents and cited one vendor, a woman identified as Cristina Hunnewell, for selling non-permitted fireworks from a tent on Glades Road west of Boca Raton.
“The woman was selling them out of a Budget truck behind her tent,” sheriff’s spokeswoman Teri Barbera said.
Michael Breen, who really is a fish farmer in Loxahatchee, finds the whole matter ridiculous.
Yes, he’s used pyrotechnics to shoo herons and the like from his acres of tropical fish ponds.
But he uses something more like a noisy flair gun that he buys from an agricultural equipment supplier.
Has he ever bought fireworks … you know, for fun?
“Yeah. And I’ve signed that paper and looked behind me and saw hundreds of people in line. I know all the fish farmers in the whole state and they weren’t there. There are maybe five in this county.”
And not all of those use a blast to scatter birds.
Greg Nielsen, manager at Crabby’s Pats, prefers dogs. Two collies.
“They’re the best. They love it, think it’s their life’s work and it doesn’t annoy the neighbors.”
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Setting off fireworks on July 4th is an American tradition, and to make it illegal is about as anti-american as the government can be. I will be setting off fireworks, I am an American!!!!!!!
FTA:
“Palm Beach County Sheriff’s officials issued a statement this week urging people to forego buying fireworks — they’re illegal.”
I think PBSO has more important things to do. If some idiot blows off some fingers, well that is what you get for not being careful.
The world is not idiot prof nor should it be.
Have fun!
This makes no sense – you can buy them to use for other purposes then their intended use .. but you can’t legally use them for what they’re intended for? They sell them at Walmart, Publix and Winn-dixie .. but you can’t use them legally .. why sell them at all? Talk about stupid laws.
Being patriotic and celebrating American independence can be done in many ways without endangering lives and property. Fireworks that explode or leave the ground are illegal for good reason! Yet many people knowingly break the law by signing a waiver lying about their intended use. This loophole in the law should be eliminated.
Every year illegal fireworks injure children and adults, damage property, start fires, frighten animals, and litter our streets.
This is another example of the ‘me mentality’ that permeates this country today.
Calm down! Don’t let a few bad apples spoil the bunch! Fireworks are fun and when used properly and cleaned after properly do not harm anyone. It’s never going to stop so get used to it. We will continue to celebrate the history and traditions of the United States with a BANG!!! Happy 4th everyone!!! (Amen Lorie I hear you!)
i agree we should be able to light fireworks thats are tradition on the 4 th of july is to celebrate.we was lighting off a fountain for the kids the other night and a macho cop had to come harass us about a little fountain but yet a drug deal went on at the end of our road and he did nothing.us good people always get the worse end.
GOD BLESS AMERICA
Len White – You must be a joy to be around…
Instead of sarcastic remarks, why don’t you make an effort to be objective and considerate. You might find it enlighting.
I agree with Len 100%. The fact is they are totally unnecessary. But this is America, land of the unnecessary. Fireworks, proof of the lack of evolution of the masses.
All fun and games until your horse colics from the fear that some of them go through.
One of my horses really freaked out last year over the idiot next door firing off rockets and they were landing in MY horses pasture.
Then the idiot kept shooting them off for the next four nights.
He is a doctor for Gods sake, you would think he would know better.
Fireworks should have rules on where they are allowed to be used.
People, don’t be stupid if someone has horses please don’t fire them off. Find a suitable place with NO animals around to be terrorized.
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I love me sum fireworks. I dare sum one to call da poolice. I’m a have me sum fun and drive my truck around. Shoot sum thing-a-ma-jigs around. Thats that.
i’m disgusted but not at all surprised by most of the moronic responses on this post. their comments are about as stupid as the one made by eric davis saying that when the fireworks blow up, so does the evidence……i guess it’s the same as a shooting in this hell hole we call palm beach county…..when the murderer runs into the bushes, its over…..call crimestoppers because the cops can’t solve it…..they are too busy handing out traffic tickets to old ladies and driving their squad cars to home depot……
I always look for news report on July 5th of how many people lost fingers or worse shooting off fireworks. Most people live within very short distance of cities that put on a much bigger and nicer display than what you can do at home – why even bother and take the chance of a serious injury? They might just be called fireworks, but these are explosives and should be illegal.
So the MORONS are out in full force buying up things that go bang and light up on the 4th of July…You diots are wondering how you are going to pay your mortgages and taxes, yet buy up this garbage as if you are going to put on some spectacular display for your neighborhoods?..Perhaps blowing off your fingers, setting the neighbors house on fire with a misfired rocket and the sounds of ambulance sirens throughout the night is what you idiots crave for…Take the family and watch the professionals give a show, instead of hurting yourselves, for the local hospitals are sick of taking your welfare medical cards for payment for stupidity and ignorant behaviour….
i agree with disgusted, this county has to be one of the most corrupt in the country., If only they could figure out a way to reliably catch and ticket and fine people, they probably would do it. I don’t think they should bother fireworks shooters unless its after noise curfew or endangering animals or fires.
Independence day is my favorite holiday and birthday. I look forward all year for the 4th of July. Being able to spend time with family, not to mention relieve a little stress banging some mortars, is very enjoyable for me. Of course my dogs hate the noise, I respect them and find a suitable location away from many animals, I make sure there isnt to much things that can be set on fire, I make sure im not to close to any houses, I make sure I have a bucket of water, I think if you rule most of that out, being an American you should expect to hear some booms ONE NIGHT out of the year. To all you nosey fucking neighbors and stuck up police with a chip on your shoulder, WE LET YOU HAVE YOUR DAYS, LET US HAVE OURS!
LEN WHITE…ED… shouldnt you be at temple?
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Dept. works for the people, not the other way around. If we need a vote to see if fireworks may be legal, then let’s take it the the voters. We are not bound to follow the ‘advice’ of our paid public servants.
A moving vehicle is quite a bit more dangerous than fireworks, yet the sheriff dept. ‘trusts’ us with our cars. I’m personally tired of the Pappy state. Guess who makes up the sheriff dept? People, just like you and me.
Is Len White a sheriff?
I love it when people call fireworks “an American tradition” They are Chinese you bastard commies!
ok, you red blooded americans want to shoot off fireworks….so, since you are such loyal americans, after you get done breaking the law, like the loyal americans you are, why don’t you clean up your mess? every july 5 i go for a run or a bike ride and am disgusted by the leftover garbage left everywhere. of course, i’m one of those communists that think the law should be obeyed and the landscape should be clean. if you americans want fireworks, why don’t you stick a pin in your hero, rush? that will make enough noise for you!!! why don’t you stop hiding behind your ignorance as “loyal americans”? i’m sure all jefferson and franklin,etc, could think about when they wrote the declaration of independence was shooting off fireworks…
oh, mr. white, you are getting a good sampling on this site of “good americans”….you are being attacked for having a different view…so typical……(of course now i will get a “love it or leave it” message, i’m sure)
Thanks for the nice display on our 4th of July and your glowing review of a hot subject. I am, at 82, one of the last true fans of what was once a fairly harmless national tradition. It was, of course, deprived of all meaning with the flight of the Enola Gay, the development of Ballistic Missiles and our recent invasion of Iraq. Who could hold a “roman candle” to those explosive historical developments.
In any case, I enjoyed your story and now confess to buying a Three Piece Set of TNT Super Value mortars. This eye-appealing kit includes: “Starfire, Sonic Flash and a Starburst Fountain.”
I can hardly wait until tomorrow evening. I’m going to go into the street and find a dark place where I can’t be spotted by the cops. I’m going to watch these beauties go off one by one then hobble away as fast as I can back to the condo.
This will bring back old times from the 1930′s. In those days nasty old Mrs.Tripp lived on our street in Miami. She hated fireworks and would complain to parents about the explosions on July 4th. They hurt her dogs ears and he’d hide under her bed until the day ended with skyrockets flashing everywhere.
Those were great times but fireworks were hard to find. We had to send off for them months in advance. We’d search through fireworks catalogs for exactly the things we knew were the loudest and most colorful. Then we’d wait for delivery by Railway Express. The assorted, bright packages made it a holiday almost as great as Christmas. As I recall, most fireworks were ordered from Polk, Ohio. The kids considered that some kind of magical “wonderland” and felt it would be great to work there in all that danger.
It’s much easier to get fireworks now. I purchased mine this year from Publix in Village Commons. Why didn’t you mention Publix in your article? I bet they gave you a free package of Sparklers to leave them off your list in the POST.
Hey, that’s OK…I’m glad to know I can get fireworks nearby on the 4th of July.
I just wanted to stop in and tell you that I really liked this post. It was full of great information and creativity, both of which we always can use more of.
Fireworks are great, yet some stupid leaders think it is smart to ban them because some idiots get hurt? There are millions of ways for idiots to harm themselves and most of them legal. It’s ridiculous how the “OMG THINK OF THE CHILDREN” attitude is starting to take away entertainment if its a bit risky. While we are at it lets foam pad poles, and make sliding glass doors illegal too! More people get hurt with those!
All i see here is some people who find everything too loud, too dangerous, too useless. It’s stupid how they think they are all smart because all they do is sip tea and complain when somebody has the radio on. This is not about display of patriotism or anything, this is about the “concerned citizens” who want to cover the world with bubble wrap so nobody gets hurt. Idiotic ideas.