Opinion: Time to quiet fireworks in city limits

It’s around 11 p.m. on a Friday night. The kids are put to bed, and Netflix is on the TV. It’s quiet and almost time for some shut-eye.

Then, out of nowhere, come the explosions.

I’m startled, and I’m forced to ask the question I ask every time this happens: “Is it gunshots or is it fireworks?”

Unfortunately, in a town like Springfield, it could go either way. Gunshots are not uncommon where I live, near center city.

Thankfully, this time it’s fireworks.

I’m left to concede the fact that I had to ask myself that question again, and usually a period of anger follows.

Why?

This totally preventable scenario happens frequently thanks to the Springfield Cardinals’ use of fireworks after games at Hammons Field.

All so, according to 2022 MLB data, an average 3,754 fans per game can get a fireworks thrill.

From experience, I can tell you that that the tens of thousands of residents within the sound radius of the fireworks blast are tired of this.

It’s worse than being temporarily startled or annoyed, according to mental health experts. There’s a ton of research available about the topic.

In a July 2020 article in Penn Medicine News, called “The Overlooked Effects of Fireworks,” a clinical psychologist discusses how fireworks can impact those with mental health conditions.

Leah Blain, clinic director for the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at the University of Pennsylvania, says in the article that people with post-traumatic stress disorder especially can be impacted by fireworks. PTSD, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, “is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary or dangerous event.” It can occur in combat veterans or citizens who have experienced other serious events. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, roughly 6% of the population will have PTSD at some point in their lives.

In the Penn Medicine News article, Blain says “triggers” that stir up thoughts, feelings and memories from the traumatic event can be caused by fireworks.

“In terms of fireworks, individuals with PTSD, as well as any combat veteran regardless of their PTSD status, are more likely to be triggered or respond to this kind of stimuli,” Blain says. “So, we have a loud, unexpected noise, often under the cover of darkness. If we think about what a combat scenario looks like, you’re expecting incoming fire and explosions that you have to be on guard for, that are often happening at night. And fireworks serve as a very significant reminder of these experiences, PTSD or no. So, this really does impact people. It really disrupts sleep. It increases stress. I would say it is a pretty significant stressor for people.”

According to the article, it’s helpful for people who are impacted in this way by fireworks to know ahead of time that the noise is coming. On the Fourth of July, for instance, one would expect to hear fireworks. While they may still be a trigger, coping mechanisms can be deployed faster because the person already is aware of the likelihood of the event.

But it’s unreasonable for residents of Springfield to memorize the dates of Cardinals home games. Further, baseball games don’t have set times. They end when they end.

In the case of the Friday night mentioned at the start of this piece, the fireworks occurred right on the bubble of the city’s quiet hours that run between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. One typically would not expect loud noises so close to the quiet hours.

I’m a lifelong Ozarks resident. I understand that the Cardinals are a prized team and that Hammons Field is an economic development-driving attraction.

But I would contend that the team, the game of baseball and the smell of popcorn and hot dogs in the air are enough of a driver all by themselves. Fireworks aren’t needed to make the equation work.

I would encourage our city officials to consider the unintended consequences that fireworks can have on residents of our city. Fireworks already are illegal to use in city limits for most people, and while permits can grant organizations like the Cardinals the right to use them, I believe this is one rule that should apply to everyone.

It’s time to quiet fireworks in the Queen City.

Springfield Business Journal Digital Editor Geoff Pickle can be reached at gpickle@sbj.net.