FROM THE DESK OF THE POLICE CHIEF
The Dangers of Fireworks
By Ryan Thompson, Pine Knoll Shores Police Chief
Its getting to be the season for cookouts, family reunions and
surfboards—and also the time of year when we see our neighbors
and visitors using fireworks. Improper use of fireworks is the
cause of hundreds of injuries across our country every year
and, unfortunately, some of those injuries result in permanent
disfigurement and sometimes even death. Fireworks can also
pose a significant fire danger. In years past I have seen fires
started in sand dunes and on the side of the road from fireworks
here in Pine Knoll Shores.
North Carolina General Statute 14-410(a) classifies a firework
to be a pyrotechnic. The majority of fireworks that our officers
are called to investigate every year are illegal in North Carolina. If
the firework explodes, spins or propels itself in the air, it is illegal.
Possession of a pyrotechnic in violation of G.S. 14-410(a) is a
class 2 misdemeanor and is a mandatory court appearance.
Fireworks allowable and considered legal in North Carolina
are smoke devices producing white or colored smoke; trick
noisemakers, such as party poppers; string poppers and snappers;
wire sparklers; and any other sparkling device that produces
showers of sparks, whistling or crackling effects, those that do
not explode, do not spin, and are handheld or ground based and
do not leave the ground.
Admittedly, that is a lot to remember. Where you purchase
fireworks can help determine if they are legal or not. Fireworks
that are sold in another state are regulated by that states laws.
South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee aU have different
fireworks regulations than North Carolina. Purchasing fireworks
from a retail establishment in North Carolina is the safest way to
ensure that you have purchased legal fireworks.
Setting off fireworks with your family and friends can be
an enjoyable experience. Let’s do our part and ensure that we
enjoy them in a safe and legal manner. Let’s also remember that
combining fireworks with alcohol can be a recipe for disaster.
Scam of the Month: Disaster Repair
Most contractors and tree removal companies in North
Carolina are good business people, and many local merchants
pitch in to help their community recover from a disaster.
However, some scammers travel to areas that have been hit by
storms and other disasters to take advantage of consumers.
Follow these tips to avoid trouble with home repair after a
disaster.
• Do not pay for work up front. Inspect the work and make
sure you are satisfied before you pay. A reasonable down
payment may be required for some projects, but don’t pay
anything without getting a written contract. Avoid paying
with cash; use a check or a credit card instead.
(Continued on page 4)
Ralph O'NeiU
CONTENTS
Pine Knoll Shores Commissioners Meetings 6
Current Sudoko 9
Real Estate News 10
Dining Out
Mayor’s Memo 13
Fishing and Hunting 13
At the Library 14
PIKSCO Happenings 15
Current Puzzle Solutions I6
PKA News 16
Country Club News 16
Town Crier ig-19
At the Aquarium 20
Garden Club 20
History of Pine Knoll Shores 2I
From the Neighbor's Kitchen 23
What’s Up With PARC? 23
Patterson Financial Article 24
Women’s Club 24
Book Talk 26
Kramer’s Korner
Current Crossword 32
Events Calendar 32
On the Grill 34
Public
Safety
POLICE
During March, there were 4 arrests; 24 911 hang-ups; 17 alarm
activations; 8 animal calls; 1 larceny; 1 damage to property; 1
breaking and entering; 15 disturbance/domestic cdls; 14 assist
Fire/EMS; 2 motor vehicle collisions; 123 traffic stops; 14 citations
issued (1 speeding, 2 registration/inspection, 3 license revoked/
expired, 2 other traffic violations, 3 narcotics violations, 1 alcohol
violation, 2 other criminal offenses); 26 written warnings issued; 89
verbal warnings issued; 102 business checks; 396 residential checks;
and 383 foot patrols in residential areas, parks, beach accesses and
businesses. Police personnel participated in 153.6 training hours,
and Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) worked 61.5 hours.
FIRE AND EMS
In March, responders handled 1 fire, 20 rescue and emergency
medical service incidents, 1 service call and 5 false alarms or false
calls. Personnel participated in 611 training hours.
REMINDER; Lock your doors, especially your vehicles, and
don’t leave valuables in sight. Report suspicious people or vehicles
to dispatch (726,-1911) so that the police can be notified. You are
not “bothering” the police if you call to report something that
doesn’t look right. They prefer to assess the situation rather than
find out after the fact that you had noticed something and didn’t
report it. Alert citizens are an asset to the community.
252-247-4353 ext 19
e-mail: Shoreline@townofpks.com
www.townofpks.com
EDITOR:
Janie Price
240-2365
EDITORS AT LARGE:
Mary Battista
422-4063
Marilyn Brandt 919-377-2501
John Brodman
726-7643
Carla Dowler
808-3945
Betty Johnson
247-7389
Phyllis Makuck
726-8776
Dennis Tomaso
622^00
CONTRIBUTING
REPORTERS:
Paige Gillespie
Marian Goetzinger
422-9000
Charlie McBriarty
Jean McDanal
726-0602
Barbara Milhaven
240-0678
Jacquie Pipkin
622-0340
Jim Scanlon
726-4174
Richard Seale
726-0478
Jim Turner
Ken Wilkins
240-2474
CIRCULATION MANAGER:
Scott Sherrill
247-4353
GRAPHIC DESIGNER:
Lianne Won-Reburn 646-1713
ADVERTISING:
Marie Lawrence
726-7081
ARTICLE DEADLINE
DUE DATE
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ADVERTISING DEADLINE:
The 19th of the month prior
to desired issue
Articles always welcome.
May 2016 I The Shoreline
I enileioria 9rtl