Crackdown on Illegal Fireworks Underway
More than 450 pounds have been seized so far in Miami
By CARLOS MILLER
Updated 11:50 AM EST, Sat, Jul 4, 2009
As we prepare to celebrate our nation's freedom, authorities are cracking down on the sale of fireworks without a permit.
We’ve come a long way since signing the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, which guarantees Americans certain unalienable rights such as “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Obviously, happiness in some cases now requires a permit.
The crackdown began Friday when more than 450 pounds of fireworks were seized on the streets of Miami-Dade County.
According to The Miami Herald, it was part of an all-day sting that netted about $25,000 in professional-grade fireworks.
The first bust occurred near Southwest 128th Avenue and Southwest 88th Street when authorities descended upon a mob of people surrounding an SUV where two men were selling $12,000 work of fireworks without a permit.
The second bust occurred five hours later when two men were discovered with an even large cache of fireworks they were selling from their vehicles in the 19000 block of South Dixie Highway.
Officials say the crackdown stems from an incident on New Year’s Eve when a Cooper City man – who did not have a permit - died after shooting a rocket into his leg.
More than 10,000 fireworks-related injuries are reported throughout the country each year.
First Published: Jul 4, 2009 10:10 AM EST
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