A recent headline read: “Police to stake out stores in New Hampshire, trying to prevent Mainers from buying fireworks.” May I suggest that police instead spend the Fourth on any lake in Maine, earn overtime and catch those with illegal fireworks.

I have lived on lakes in Washington County for the last 23 years. What started out as a few firecrackers being set off on the Fourth along with sparklers for the kids has turned into a full-fledged fireworks display. The fireworks usually make themselves heard weeks before the holiday, and continue up to that day and beyond. Everyone knows who has them and everyone knows there will be a display along with the noise, pollution and havoc that comes every year.

Those of us who prefer quiet on our lakes have no say. Our dogs are scared and out of sorts for most of the month of July, and we who care about the environment pick up the spent casings along our shores for weeks after. Yes, Eastport and Bangor have their parades, but sadly, they don’t have much more in the way of fireworks than most of Maine’s lakes.

Tonya L. Troiani

Meddyemps