If using fireworks or explosives in the city of Federal Way is illegal, then why is it that the Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell and the Federal Way Chief of Police Andy Hwang are failing to take action against the citizen’s of Federal Way who violate this ordnance. Here is a case in point: I would like to apologize to you first for the length of this message to you, however, I first must explain the basis and the reason for this message. I served in the military forces of our country from 1958 to 1979 and spent eight months in South Vietnam in a combat arms company and I was directly involved in armed conflict with the enemy. We were shot at and bombarded with all types of artillery, rockets and mines. I have seen our soldiers hit with various types of projectiles and explosive devices, some of them (the lucky ones) left our earth, the unlucky ones were disfigured and maimed and had to spend long periods of time in hospitals and treatment units and now have a serious condition called PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). I unfortunately am one of the soldiers who suffer from PTSD, and thus is the reason for this e-mail message to you. I am under the impression that it is illegal for the citizens of Federal Way set off any type of fireworks or explosive devices. If this is correct, then I can personally inform you that the Federal Way Police Department has in no way that I am aware of taken any action to prevent this from taking place. Or they consider it to be such of a low priority, that they do not have time to concern themselves with this issue, or they may have a call which they deem to be more important than the setting off or causing to be exploded any type of fireworks. Here is a case in point. Every time the Seattle Seahawks play a football game and they score any points, individuals in our neighborhood start setting off all types of fireworks, some of which go into the air and explode resulting in a very loud sound as though it was an artillery shell exploded on top of our home. Can you imagine what this is doing to me or causing me to go through? Each time this takes place, I have called 911 and reported it to them. They in turn say that they will let the police department know and if it would be OK for the police officer to contact me, and most of the time I say yes that the office can contact me if needed. Guess what? No contact and the fireworks continue. Now I know and realize that just a complaint from me alone may not be grounds for the police to take action, however something does need to be done as it keeps going on and on. Our next door neighbor can also shed some light into this issue as well. I only wish that something could happen as all the explosions that is going on and on are taking their effect on me, and our two pets as well. Action is needed! This is now told as an after the fact and has noting to do with fireworks. On our street we have a yellow painted fire hydrant, and if I am correct, the law states that a vehicle must park 25 feet from it, and there have been several occasion that I have reported vehicles completely block this fire hydrant to the 911 operator and once again no action was taken by the Federal Way Police. To me this could be dangerous as a fire could break out and the fire department could not use the fire hydrant because of a vehicle being in the way. If you can, please see what action you may be able to take if any. My wife Cecilia, can verify every thing that I have stated here, and I state to you now, that what I have said is the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and if need be I will swear to this in court on a Bible.

Clyde L Griffey, Federal Way