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Fireworks sparking outrage after excessive 4th of July celebration

Posted at 5:22 PM, Jul 07, 2015
and last updated 2015-07-07 17:22:43-04

WYOMING, Mich. - A front yard fireworks show that could rival some small town displays is causing tempers to flare after neighbors say they've been dealing with the noise and fallout for years.

Rick Gardner and Julie Guier, neighbors of those firing off the fireworks said there's no respect from those in charge of the display.

"It irritates me and really pisses me off," said Guier. "I pay taxes!"

They're concerned about fires, angry over damaged cars parked in their own driveways, and fed up with finding ash and debris from fireworks in their yards, pools and on their roofs.

Gardner handed over video showing alleged threats of violence hurled at him after approaching his neighbor about the display. As a war veteran, he suffers from post traumatic stress disorder. Julie Guier's son suffers from Epilepsy. And after four years of heavy fireworks, Julie reached out to the city of Wyoming but was disappointed with their reply.

"Their response was for me to take my child and my animals and go away for the night and don't come back until the morning," said Guier.

State Representative, Henry Yanez, weighed in on the conversation. Saying there is such thing as too much of a good thing.

"Now, people are literally spending thousands of dollars on what used to be a show that we would all gather in the local park for to watch something the city or the local clubs put on, but now it's happening right on your street," said Representative Yanez. "It's literally out of control."

Because the state legislature makes the law, local police are telling Gardner and neighbors, their hands are tied.

Representative Yanez introduced a bill to repeal Michigan's 2011 fireworks law last month, asking for a full repeal of the law, hoping to restructure it. But that proposal hasn't gotten far.

We tried to talk to the neighbors who set off the fireworks. We knocked on the door and left business cards. Instead of calling us, they called the police and accused us of harassing them.