HYANNIS – [HN NOTES & THOUGHTS ON THE MATTER] – Look, I enjoy a good rousing Fourth of July firework display as much as any other red-blooded, explosive-loving American – but there’s a time and place!

On any day, other than the Fourth of July, the middle of Hyannis is neither that time nor place, in my humble opinion. And certainly not at 10:00 p.m. on a weekday, in a densely populated neighborhood where people are trying to sleep.

At around 10:00 p.m. last evening, Barnstable Police responded to a Hyannis address, where a man was taken away in cuffs after allegedly firing off fireworks and reportedly disturbing others in the area.

HN had been parked about a mile away in the downtown area when I also heard the several sharp explosions. Loud late-night explosions in my world could also mean gunshots, so I typically look skyward, attempting to rule out alternatives, such as drunk idiots lighting off fireworks. I looked up and didn’t see any, but I was leaning away from the gunshot theory at that point because of the timing of the blasts, along with the fact Hyannis has been plagued lately by sneaky inebriated morons and their bags of professional-grade pyrotechnics, bootlegged in from New Hampshire.

By this time in late July, many people are completely fed up with the random outbursts of recreational explosives. Police departments are constantly receiving complaints about them. And the larger fireworks are often confused for gunshots by some, increasing 911 gunshot reports, which becomes a major pain in the rump for cops.

I personally hate the nightly explosions because they unnecessarily fire up my dog while we’re working. It’s frustrating. And many other dog owners experience similar frustrations.

I’m told recent fireworks in the area of last evening’s arrest have been disturbing a neighborhood 3-year-old from her sleep. Bottom line, children need their sleep!

Not only that, some of our neighbors suffering from PTSD can experience unpleasant anxiety whenever there are unexpected random explosions.

Again, there’s a time and a place.

HN arrived on Mulberry Street as cops were trying to explain that last evening was not the time, and that Hyannis was not the place. At first it looked like officers were thinking about simply summonsing the budding beer-balancing firework handler on criminal charges when his mouth began moving, as one’s mouth typically tends to move while speaking. I didn’t hear what the guy said, but whatever it was, it took the summons option off the table. Police didn’t seem convinced the fireworks would stop, once and for all. So, the decision was made to run Mr. Sparkypants (not his real name) in on charges related to last evening’s disturbance of the peace.

* All suspects are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

P.S. – Today’s Hytown Vignette is a brought to you by the Starland Vocal Band… [CLICK IT/CRANK IT!]

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