Berkeley #police don’t track fireworks complaints, according to Berkeley Police Department spokesman Byron White, because their department is simply too small. Fireworks calls are also logistically difficult to organize because they are reported using a wide variety of means, including the police number and the city’s 311 line. “It’s so daunting for us because in the midst of these fireworks calls, we’ve just had two homicides,” White said, explaining the difficulties of balancing serious issues the police department is tasked with processing.

Many Berkeley residents have shared stories of loud bangs sounding like gunshots and large explosions from nearly every corner of the city, usually starting in the late afternoon or evening hours and continuing into the night. It stands to reason, since residents are still reeling from the ongoing pandemic and all of the stay-at-home orders. However, the city of Berkeley has entirely banned fireworks, "including those marketed as 'safe and sane'", which is an extreme over-reaction. 

Some people prefer to avoid large public gatherings, which is especially understandable given our recent experiences with contagious diseases. Families lighting off their own small fireworks can be a safer alternative to traditional summertime fun like carnivals and concerts. Now, we are supposed to contact the Berkeley Fire Department if we witness a neighbor lighting off fireworks. This would make sense if we were talking about serious explosives, but what is the harm in letting people celebrate by lighting off smaller fireworks like sparklers or fountains that only emit minimal sparks? With proper supervision, these activities are very fun and safe. They should not be outlawed.

As far as garbage can fires go, treating those like emergencies is just ridiculous. The reason garbage cans exist is to isolate trash. So as long as the container is not plastic, and it does not contain any highly flammable or explosive materials, there is no justification for over-reacting and catastrophizing. If every call gets treated as an emergency, it just generates frustration among local citizens and potentially pulls an already small police force away from more serious emergencies.

Let people have their fun, and keep these calls off the priority list. As long as they are behaving responsibly, people should not be forbidden from enjoying fireworks on their own properties.