Lakewood CA fireworks injuires 2008

[www_LAAG_us]

We are trying to verify injury reports as LACFD and LASD and the city dont like to report anything about injuries as that is bad for the precious fireworks business.

Any reports about fireworks problems are welcomed.

We are looking for more info regarding a drunk 18 year old igniting illegal fireworks and possibly a stick of dynamite near San Martin Park late last night. It is my understanding that a dozen homes in the area, and cars, were damaged by the blast, including the 18 yr old having a chunk of his leg blown off.

report to http://www.laag.us or [e-mail]

[JKC]

We saw a bunch of police cars near the park, but we didn't know exactly what was going on because we had our own issue going on over here. One of our neighbors was shooting off huge illegal fireworks and we called LASD but the only thing they did was come by an HOUR later, then they took one look around the street, found nothing and then left. The neighbors then continued shooting off illegal fireworks until 1 a.m. Add this to the constantly-barking dogs, and we're ready to leave Lakewood for good. Seriously. This city is a JOKE.

[Larry]

Lakewood sheriffs are the laziest pieces of trash I have ever seen in my life. On the 4th of july our very inconsiderate neighbors fired numerous illegal fire works off and when I called the sheriff's department I got a volunteer that took my complaint and knew nothing about the laws on fireworks in Lakewood. I had to tell him the law on it!

Then I told him that these people here are shooting of the illegal fireworks and hiding them in a vehicle nearby. The stupid, lazy sheriff came one hour later, rolled up in their squad car with police lights on one block away and, of course, all the illegal activity stops. They did the same tactic last year.

If reports come out this year that there were less people cited or arrested, it's not because things are better, it's because the LASD have figured out how to do less work. The sheriff who finally came by, didn't even shine his lights into the vehicle that contained all the illegal fireworks.

Now, if you wanted to catch these people, WHY would you run the police lights up and down the block you might ask? Because they don't want to fill out all the paperwork that would be involved. And why don't they make more arrests? Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork, and crap they would get from the jailers for making their 4th of july a lot more work-intensive.

What's the final outcome? Sheriffs are pissed off because they have to work on this holiday and they're going to do as little as possible; the jailers are pissed off if they have to do any extra work; and the law-abiding homeowners are pissed off because nothing is being done on their behalf; The only ones who benefit are the criminals who destroy property and maim others with not only illegal fireworks, but with "Safe and Sane" fireworks as well.

The other problem is that the so-called "Safe and Sane" people shoot off their fireworks right alongside the illegal people. So, next year I wonder what would happen if people put up signs in the neighboring cities that say something like: "THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD WELCOMES ALL FIREWORKS" because by not showing up and cleaning up this mess, that is essentially what they are doing--condoning it. And then call and call to report all the illegal activity going on. Videotape the illegal acts and send a copy to the Mayor and the rest of his Lakewood cronies who probably had a very good night's sleep last night.

[Wuzfuzz]

I heard a similar story about this, but it was my understanding that it was near Del Valle Park on Woodruff, not San Martin Park. What I heard was similar to what you said: a large explosive device, damaged cars and some drunk injured and arrested.

[Joe]

Lakewood sheriff's; DO NOT ENFORCE THE LAW ! There will always be some excuse why they, " HAVE THERE HANDS TIED BEHIND THERE BACK ! " 2AM; I dial 911 to report about 9 men attacking an old man in his late 60's; after 4 more calls from my wife and I, 1 hour and 22 minutes later (NO JOKE) 1 Office arrived at the scene; attackers still sitting on the porch and steps drinking and smoking pot out of a bong; right before the officers very eye's. Almost 4AM at this time; the officer of course," HAD HIS HANDS TIED BEHIND HIS BACK ! " AND COULD NOT MAKE ANY ARRESTS, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO PROOF OF ANY ASSAULT. 1 OF THE SUSPECTS IS A CONVICTED CHILD MOLESTER; ANOTHER A CONVICTED ARSONIST, but let's face it, this would be to much paper work. The one thing I have found out since then is that, NO OFFICER OF ANY RANK, CAN REFUSE TO ARREST SOMEONE IF YOU TELL THE OFFICER THAT YOU WANT TO FILE A CITIZEN'S ARREST UPON PERSON AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT
REGARDLESS OF ANYTHING. They will try to tell you otherwise if this happens to you simply tell that officer you want the, WATCH COMMANDER to tell you the same thing... He will then place the person under arrest or risk loosing his job. THE LAKEWOOD SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ARE SO WORTHLESS THAT I HAVE THE, INTERNAL AFFAIRS PHONE NUMBER UNDER MY 911 SPEED DIAL INSTEAD...

[www_LAAG_us]

Joe wrote:

Lakewood sheriff's; DO NOT ENFORCE THE LAW ! There will always be some excuse why they, " HAVE THERE HANDS TIED BEHIND THERE BACK !..

I love these quotes. Bottom line is that anyone that has lived in lakewood for a while knows better than to call in a crime/complaint to LSAD. They wont do anything, even if they do show up. This is also part of the reason crime is "low" here...its just not reported so therefore not added into the LASD stats. I love it. Do nothing long enough and crime "appears" to go down. Try them apples Bratton!! How sad this city is. Its what happens when you have a city council like we do. They are too busy making nice with the few voters that will vote for them than actually getting tough on the slobs.

www.laag.us

[Alex]

I have celebrated the 4th of July in Lakewood for the past 5 years and didn't see the amount of fireworks as other years. I know 4 neighbors in my area that got cited for $1000, my one neighbor said a undercover car got him. There's only so much the Sheriff can do when there's so much partying going on. Please, GET REAL, get a life. Lakewood is great and I love living here. If it is so bad, STOP COMPLAINING AND MOVE!!!!

www_LAAG_us wrote:

<quoted text>
I love these quotes. Bottom line is that anyone that has lived in lakewood for a while knows better than to call in a crime/complaint to LSAD. They wont do anything, even if they do show up. This is also part of the reason crime is "low" here...its just not reported so therefore not added into the LASD stats. I love it. Do nothing long enough and crime "appears" to go down. Try them apples Bratton!! How sad this city is. Its what happens when you have a city council like we do. They are too busy making nice with the few voters that will vote for them than actually getting tough on the slobs.
www.laag.us

[www_LAAG_us]

Alex wrote:

I have celebrated the 4th of July in Lakewood for the past 5 years and didn't see the amount of fireworks as other years.
<quoted text>

Not sure what "celebrated" means as you use the term. For most that means getting drunk and setting off illegal fireworks. Not sure how that is patriotic. Voting is patriotic as is community service. lakewood used to be a good place. Now its a haven for rednecks with motorhomes and toy haulers as they know laws are not enforced here. We need to add that to the silly Lakewood slogans..."Times Change..lax enforcement does not.."