59 replies to this topic

[old soldier]

People might be surprised at how many 'Fire Bugs' there are in our society. Meaning, arsonists. They are starting fires all the time, just for the thrill of watching them turn big and burn everything in sight, for hundreds of miles.

Many of the very large burning areas we have had in the past were started at several different locations, by the same arsonist. So what you may have seen is an arsonist making the first fire he started, into one that would cover miles of acreage.

It's not uncommon, according to firemen I've known, for arsonists to do this.

Sickening, isn't it?

I heard some of those firebugs become firemen so they can see more fires, as well as eat the fine fine food prepared at the station

[ducky]

Does anybody remember the summer they put that new mulch (gorilla hair) in some of the medians along Howe Ave? Sac Metro was kept pretty busy because of people flicking cigarettes out their car windows. It was pretty much a daily occurrence for a while.

[eVader]

I heard some of those firebugs become firemen so they can see more fires, as well as eat the fine fine food prepared at the station

Sadly yes this is true with incidents in our region.

Hate litterbugs or donkeys who unknowingly litter because they are incompetent to properly secure their loads. Firebugs and cigarette flickers (aka soon to be fire starter) suck. Amazes me why hold your cigarette outside your window, flick the ashes or toss the used cigarette instead of using the ashtray. They are wasting $$$ depriving themselves of that great (cough, cough umm) second hand smoke and wonderful wretched stench throughout the day.

[4thgenFolsomite]

Sadly yes this is true with incidents in our region.

Hate litterbugs or donkeys who unknowingly litter because they are incompetent to properly secure their loads. Firebugs and cigarette flickers (aka soon to be fire starter) suck. Amazes me why hold your cigarette outside your window, flick the ashes or toss the used cigarette instead of using the ashtray. They are wasting $$$ depriving themselves of that great (cough, cough umm) second hand smoke and wonderful wretched stench throughout the day.

I do believe their logic is to try to keep the smoke out of the car. And who wants a yucky cigarette butt to smell up the car? I bet this girl was hiding her smoking from her family and she got caught the hard way! lol. I hope it puts her off smoking for the rest of her life.

[Ches84]

Seriously? That is your biggest concern? You should be more worried about her obvious lack of respect for the world or the whole "no littering" law in general. Apparently $1000 doesn't concern her. I hope that judge does throw the book at her.

[MrsTuffPaws]

I'm not condoning this behavior at all, but some cars today don't even come with ashtrays. My 10 year old car has the 'ashtray' lined with felt, and the 'cigarette lighter' is an electronic recharging station. And someone told me the other day that their brand-new car didn't have any ashtrays at all. Not even 'fake' ones with liners.

It's just interesting to see how our culture's mind set is represented in the products we produce. Like, when I'm on an airplane, I just stare in wonderment of the ashtrays built into each armrest. And it really wasn't that long ago that they were used in that way.

[caligirlz]

I do believe their logic is to try to keep the smoke out of the car. And who wants a yucky cigarette butt to smell up the car? I bet this girl was hiding her smoking from her family and she got caught the hard way! lol. I hope it puts her off smoking for the rest of her life.

The was exactly what was happening, to not get her clothes too stinky, and decrease the chance of getting caught. The daughter did not want her mother to know she was smoking. It seemed to work pretty good until she got ticketed.

I think they are all going to be in for a surprise when she finds out the fine is $1000 NOT $100.

[DavidH]

This is absolutely repulsive. As a motorcyclist I despise people who throw stuff out of their cars. I actually got burned from a lit cig once. Left a nice hole in my pants too.

+1000 to everybody on this! I've been hit with a cigarette but not burned yet. A few months ago I saw a woman drop hers at a stoplight. I pulled up next to her, picked it up, and handed it back to her letting her know she "dropped" it. Next time I'll be throwing it back inside the car and if something burns/catches fire, so be it. Better them than me or igniting a grass or structure fire!

[caligirlz]

+1000 to everybody on this! I've been hit with a cigarette but not burned yet. A few months ago I saw a woman drop hers at a stoplight. I pulled up next to her, picked it up, and handed it back to her letting her know she "dropped" it. Next time I'll be throwing it back inside the car and if something burns/catches fire, so be it. Better them than me or igniting a grass or structure fire!

What was her response?

[DavidH]

What was her response?

Something like "uh OK." I should've just tossed it in the car but was feeling kind that [rare] day.

[LexMan]

I've often wondered if this law is enforced. I drive 800-1000 miles a week and see this all the time. It drives me crazy as I have never seen anyone cited for this! Most of my driving is freeway where you see the lit butt flicked out of the window. However, at a stop light, you can always tell when someone will toss their butt. They hold the cigarette butt out of the window. When the light turns green, they drop it as if nobody will notice!

Thanks to all the law enforcement that does recognize this.

[tony]

Not defending at all , but it really has to be perfect conditions to light fuel from a flicked cigarette.
Windy, fine ground level fuel, and humidity less than 20%.

Sounds like standard summer conditions in Folsom. Remember, with no summer thunderstorms, about the only natural cause of a grass fire in our area is a hawk shorting out power lines with a snake, and that's not that common.

One of my big pet peeves as well, especially every weekend when I pick up the dozen or so cigarette butts in the gutter along our property.

[caligirlz]

***UPDATE****

The 16 y/o went to court yesterday

Maximum fine $1000

She got a $400 fine + 8 hours community service picking up trash
She only had $100, so 20 hours community service was added to her sentence
Since she is 16, she must do community service at the same organization that she does her trash pickup
She chose Folsom Historical Museum

Of note, per mom per judge, all traffic laws are being fully enforced. In the past, you could appear in court to contest your ticket & likely win because the deputy did not attend. That has now changed. The deputies are now required to attend. And if you broke any other traffic law while being pulled over (i.e., stopping in front of a driveway & blocking it), then those charges will be added to your moving violation. Failure to appear to a summons now results in a $1000 fine, on top of all other charges.

[tsukiji]

The real bottom line: will she be changing her general behavior? If not, the punishment is incidental at best.

[legofamily]

Hopefully the community service will give her time to think about her actions. The other day while on the freeway, a lady rolled her window down and threw out some trash. I think it was a cigarette, but I am not sure. I commend the law enforcement for cracking down on these offenders. I hope more people who do this get ticketed.