CAPE GIRARDEAU ACTS TO CURB BOTTLE-ROCKET NUISANCE; LET'S HOPE ALL FIREWORKS AREN'T BANNED

The Cape Girardeau City Council has outlawed the discharge of bottle rockets in the city after Dec. 31. The decision comes after years of complaints around the Fourth of July. Last year alone in June and July police got 263 complaints about them being discharged. Most of the complaints concerned unsafe discharge near homes and vehicles, and noise (they sound like a firecracker) that frequently lasts well into the late hours of the night.

When it comes to fireworks, bottle rockets generate the most complaints because they are popular among youngsters and are relatively cheap compared to the costs of other fireworks. But they have become a nuisance to some city residents and the police department, which must handle all of the complaints.

At least all other fireworks that Cape Girardeans have come to enjoy through the years are still legal. Let's hope doing away with bottle rockets isn't the first step of doing away with any of the others.