Editorial: Go after fireworks violators

Wednesday, July 25, 2007 | 7:15 a.m.

Around July Fourth every year residents of Mountain Springs in southwestern Las Vegas begin worrying about the dry conditions around their rural homes as well as the traffic along nearby Blue Diamond Road.

They wonder how many cars and trucks whizzing by are carrying large quantities of highly explosive illegal fireworks. Blue Diamond Road is the way to Pahrump in Nye County, where fireworks banned here in Clark County are for sale at that time of year.

Mary Thurgood lives off Mountain Springs pass, which runs through the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. In a story Tuesday by Las Vegas Sun reporter Sam Skolnik, she said : "There are 50-some houses near the top of the pass. If there should be an accident, the whole forest could go up."

Her concern is shared by the Mountain Springs Citizens Advisory Council, Skolnik reported.

Earlier this month the council sent a letter to property owners in the community, expressing concern that the Clark County district attorney's office has not been vigorously prosecuting people caught bringing fireworks back from Pahrump.

District Attorney David Roger said jailing people for fireworks violations is not feasible when the Clark County Detention Center is crowded with more serious offenders. And Metro Police spokesman Bill Cassell noted that about 50 percent of the fireworks cases brought to court last year were dismissed.

In our view, prosecution should be tough. Many drivers who are cited are carrying huge loads for resale in Las Vegas. More than 21 tons of illegal fireworks were confiscated this July Fourth.

How much got through can be gauged by all the explosions heard in Las Vegas Valley neighborhoods. As it hadn't rained in three months, houses were at risk of fire.

Those engaged in transporting illegal fireworks shouldn't have the smug feeling that a light sentence or dismissal awaits if they are caught. The full penalty - six months in jail and a $1,000 fine - should be a very real possibility.