There will be fireworks beside the pier in Old Orchard Beach tonight. Despite the police chief’s objections.

The Thursday night fireworks have been at 9:45 for decades. I seem to remember them being at 9:30 when I was younger, but my memory for such things isn’t guaranteed.

Earlier this summer they were moved to 9. then to the current 9:20. The stated reason is public safety.

How does making fireworks half an hour earlier make them safer? It’s the same sky, right? Having them later means more likelihood those waiting will spend their money on treats: fried dough, French fries, pizza and ice cream immediately come to mind. Or maybe they will but a souvenir t-shirt. The late start is good for the economy.

Earlier this season the police chief tried to get town council to cancel the fireworks entirely due to safety concerns. But not with the fireworks themselves.

Supposedly teens from out of town are taking advantage of the Thursday night crowds to misbehave. There have been incidents of disorderly conduct, fights and intoxication. Therefore the fireworks should be canceled. Making the effort to arrest those causing problems doesn’t seem to be on the agenda.

Maybe I am being uncharitable, but I have been in OOB on Thursday nights. there are a lot of people, but far fewer than at the average hockey game. There’s a large police presence, and I must admit to in the past having more concerns about that than about crime. Most of the officers I spoke to were summer students, not (in my mind) properly trained for the job they were doing. I had no confidence in their ability to handle trouble if it did arise.

This mindset that would see canceling an event because of potential problems is not limited to Old Orchard Beach. this time last year Canadian governments were canceling permits for outdoor worship music concerts because some people were threatening protests against the musicians involved being associated with Donald Trump.

Or ask any Canadian Jew how they feel when police stand idly by at demonstrations against Israel when speakers go beyond criticizing policies and start calling for death to Jews. Are Canada’s hate laws being enforced? It doesn’t look like it.

Canceling the fireworks would certainly make Thursday night policing easier in Old Orchard Beach. That the event attracts tourist dollars and is enjoyed by thousands would seem to me to be a strong argument for keeping them. There are laws against public drunkenness and disorderly conduct – just enforce them.

Perhaps the next thing on the police chief’s agenda should be shutting down the beach itself. After all, the life guards can’t be everywhere and someone might drown.