Latest news with #DepartmentofLawEnforcement
01-07-2025
Hawaii's governor signs bills cracking down on illegal fireworks
HONOLULU -- Hawaii's governor on Monday signed five bills cracking down on the rampant use of illegal fireworks in the islands after a massive explosion at a New Year's party killed six people and severely burned more than a dozen others. The new laws take effect immediately. Police will be authorized to issue $300 tickets to those who shoot off fireworks, while repeat offenders and those whose actions cause serious injury or death could get prison time for felony crimes. 'If (a) firework goes off and you have it illegally and you blow somebody up, honestly, you're gonna go to jail for 20 years,' Gov. Josh Green said at a bill signing ceremony. 'No joke. So don't do it.' State and county officials have long struggled to contain illegal fireworks in Hawaii, where it's become common for people to launch professional-grade aerial explosives from the streets in front of their homes. The reforms aim to allow police to quickly address minor infractions and focus their investigations on higher-level cases. 'We have to, once and for all, stop this for the safety of our children and the people we love,' Green said. He urged people to enjoy public fireworks shows instead. Another measure appropriates $2 million to the state Department of Law Enforcement for an explosives and firearms laboratory and $500,000 for undercover fireworks sting operations. Over New Year's, crates of illegal fireworks ignited and set off a chain of explosions during a party in a Honolulu residential neighborhood. The injured filled the state's lone burn care unit, forcing the transport of some victims to Arizona for treatment. Authorities seized 500 pounds (227 kilograms) of unused fireworks from the scene. Police have so far arrested 10 people in connection with the explosion. Authorities accused them of reckless endangering, endangering the welfare of a minor and multiple fireworks offenses. The Honolulu prosecutor's office said its investigation into the allegations is ongoing.
San Francisco Chronicle
01-07-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Hawaii's governor signs bills cracking down on illegal fireworks after deadly New Year's explosion
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii's governor on Monday signed five bills cracking down on the rampant use of illegal fireworks in the islands after a massive explosion at a New Year's party killed six people and severely burned more than a dozen others. The new laws take effect immediately. Police will be authorized to issue $300 tickets to those who shoot off fireworks, while repeat offenders and those whose actions cause serious injury or death could get prison time for felony crimes. 'If (a) firework goes off and you have it illegally and you blow somebody up, honestly, you're gonna go to jail for 20 years,' Gov. Josh Green said at a bill signing ceremony. 'No joke. So don't do it.' State and county officials have long struggled to contain illegal fireworks in Hawaii, where it's become common for people to launch professional-grade aerial explosives from the streets in front of their homes. The reforms aim to allow police to quickly address minor infractions and focus their investigations on higher-level cases. 'We have to, once and for all, stop this for the safety of our children and the people we love,' Green said. He urged people to enjoy public fireworks shows instead. Another measure appropriates $2 million to the state Department of Law Enforcement for an explosives and firearms laboratory and $500,000 for undercover fireworks sting operations. The injured filled the state's lone burn care unit, forcing the transport of some victims to Arizona for treatment. Authorities seized 500 pounds (227 kilograms) of unused fireworks from the scene. Police have so far arrested 10 people in connection with the explosion. Authorities accused them of reckless endangering, endangering the welfare of a minor and multiple fireworks offenses.
Hamilton Spectator
01-07-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Hawaii's governor signs bills cracking down on illegal fireworks after deadly New Year's explosion
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii's governor on Monday signed five bills cracking down on the rampant use of illegal fireworks in the islands after a massive explosion at a New Year's party killed six people and severely burned more than a dozen others. The new laws take effect immediately. Police will be authorized to issue $300 tickets to those who shoot off fireworks, while repeat offenders and those whose actions cause serious injury or death could get prison time for felony crimes. 'If (a) firework goes off and you have it illegally and you blow somebody up, honestly, you're gonna go to jail for 20 years,' Gov. Josh Green said at a bill signing ceremony. 'No joke. So don't do it.' State and county officials have long struggled to contain illegal fireworks in Hawaii, where it's become common for people to launch professional-grade aerial explosives from the streets in front of their homes. The reforms aim to allow police to quickly address minor infractions and focus their investigations on higher-level cases. 'We have to, once and for all, stop this for the safety of our children and the people we love,' Green said. He urged people to enjoy public fireworks shows instead. Another measure appropriates $2 million to the state Department of Law Enforcement for an explosives and firearms laboratory and $500,000 for undercover fireworks sting operations. Over New Year's, crates of illegal fireworks ignited and set off a chain of explosions during a party in a Honolulu residential neighborhood. The injured filled the state's lone burn care unit, forcing the transport of some victims to Arizona for treatment . Authorities seized 500 pounds (227 kilograms) of unused fireworks from the scene. Police have so far arrested 10 people in connection with the explosion. Authorities accused them of reckless endangering, endangering the welfare of a minor and multiple fireworks offenses. The Honolulu prosecutor's office said its investigation into the allegations is ongoing. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
01-07-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Hawaii's governor signs bills cracking down on illegal fireworks after deadly New Year's explosion
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii's governor on Monday signed five bills cracking down on the rampant use of illegal fireworks in the islands after a massive explosion at a New Year's party killed six people and severely burned more than a dozen others. The new laws take effect immediately. Police will be authorized to issue $300 tickets to those who shoot off fireworks, while repeat offenders and those whose actions cause serious injury or death could get prison time for felony crimes. 'If (a) firework goes off and you have it illegally and you blow somebody up, honestly, you're gonna go to jail for 20 years,' Gov. Josh Green said at a bill signing ceremony. 'No joke. So don't do it.' State and county officials have long struggled to contain illegal fireworks in Hawaii, where it's become common for people to launch professional-grade aerial explosives from the streets in front of their homes. The reforms aim to allow police to quickly address minor infractions and focus their investigations on higher-level cases. 'We have to, once and for all, stop this for the safety of our children and the people we love,' Green said. He urged people to enjoy public fireworks shows instead. Another measure appropriates $2 million to the state Department of Law Enforcement for an explosives and firearms laboratory and $500,000 for undercover fireworks sting operations. Over New Year's, crates of illegal fireworks ignited and set off a chain of explosions during a party in a Honolulu residential neighborhood. The injured filled the state's lone burn care unit, forcing the transport of some victims to Arizona for treatment. Authorities seized 500 pounds (227 kilograms) of unused fireworks from the scene. Police have so far arrested 10 people in connection with the explosion. Authorities accused them of reckless endangering, endangering the welfare of a minor and multiple fireworks offenses. The Honolulu prosecutor's office said its investigation into the allegations is ongoing.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Trooper's tale: From being Tallahassee rescue dog to inspiring Florida law
Florida is protecting its pooches — and cracking down on those who mistreat the four-legged friends. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two animal rights bills on May 28 at a rescue organization in Palm Beach County. The bills include Trooper's Law, which will make it a crime to restrain animals outside during natural disasters and abandon them. It's named after the bull terrier that captured the attention of people around the state when he was found in chest-high water, tied to a fence off of Interstate 75 during Hurricane Milton. His story got a happy ending when he was adopted by a Parkland couple after being taken to the Leon County Humane Society. The offense would be a third-degree felony, punishable by a fine up to $10,000 or prison time. And he signed Dexter's Law, would require the Department of Law Enforcement to post the names of people who have violated animal cruelty laws online. It's named after a dog found decapitated at Fort DeSoto Beach days after he was adopted from the Pinellas County Animal Shelter, according to NBC affiliate WFLA. DeSantis signed these pieces of legislation at Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee. Florida state trooper Orlando Morales rescued the bull terrier after the pooch was abandoned tied to a pole on I-75 as Hurricane Milton approached Florida. The bills include Trooper's Law, which will make it a crime to restrain animals outside during natural disasters and then abandon them. Trooper was rescued by a Florida state trooper on the side of I-75 near Bruce B Downs Blvd. on the morning of Oct. 9, 2024. Hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida's west coast around 8:30 p.m. that night. Giovanny Aldama Garcia, 23, was identified as the owner of "Trooper," the abandoned dog left tied to a fence standing in a pool of water amid Hurricane Milton evacuations in Florida. Garcia was arrested on Oct. 14, 2024. The following day, State Attorney Suzy Lopez shared in a press release that Garcia was charged with aggravated animal cruelty, after admitting to leaving his dog, formerly known as "Jumbo," on the interstate because he "couldn't find anyone to pick the dog up." He faces up to five years in prison. His case status was unavailable as of May 28. The five-year-old Bull terrier was taken in by the Leon County Humane Society on Oct. 9. Trooper then was placed in a foster care home with owners who had experience with his breed, according to the Leon County Humane Society. In December, Trooper was adopted by Frank and Carla Spina and now lives with new friend Dallas, a seven-year-old mini Bull terrier, in Parkland. Trooper faced multiple health scares, however, and his new family supported him as he underwent successful surgery to remove cancerous tumors. X-rays also found foreign substances inside his stomach. Trooper had about two pounds of rubber and plastic removed, according to specialist veterinary surgeon Randy Dominguez. The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida urges you to call 911 if you witness an animal in a life-threatening situation. It is a crime to abuse or cruelly kill an animal, or to confine an animal without sufficient food, water or exercise in Florida. To report the abuse of wild animals such as illegal hunting or fishing, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at (888) 404-3922 or report the incident online. Contributing: Kyla A Sanford, Gabriel Velasquez Neira and Ella Thompson of FRESH TAKE FLORIDA. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Rescued, brought to Tallahassee, 'Trooper' the dog inspires state law
