In Mesquite, the Fourth of July weekend went beyond the standard display of patriotic fervor as the city's Police and Fire Departments stepped up their game to ensure residents could celebrate with safety at the forefront. According to the City of Mesquite, Texas, additional personnel were placed on duty specifically to address the use of illegal fireworks and to keep an eye out for the dangers of driving while intoxicated.
With 177 calls in response to fireworks and another 40 concerning the sound of gunfire, Mesquite's law enforcement didn't spend the holiday weekend lounging. Having confiscated over 104 pounds of fireworks along with 10 handguns and four rifles, they had their hands full. Among these efforts, officers also made nine arrests related to DWI, working diligently to keep the streets from becoming anything but a place for celebration.
Mesquite hadn't prepared to tackle the holiday challenges solo. The Police fireworks hotline, having answered 295 calls, played a complementary role by using a "heat map" to track down the epicenters of the pyrotechnic activity where specific addresses weren’t given. This innovative approach helped alleviate the burden on the emergency communication systems, ensuring 9-1-1 lines were open for actual emergencies.
On the fire safety side of the operation, the Mesquite Fire Department reported that its response mainly dealt with a singular grass fire that sprouted from firework use. Furthermore, there were two calls related to fireworks explosions that, luckily enough, didn't ignite any blazes. "Every year we make progress toward our residents celebrating the holiday in a safe manner," said City Manager Cliff Keheley, according to the City of Mesquite, Texas. Thanks went out to those who worked over the weekend from the Police, Fire, Dispatch personnel, and Call Center volunteers for their contributions in keeping the community out of harm's way.
