American Police

Thousands gather at Hart Park in Wauwatosa every year to watch fireworks on the Fourth of July. This year, that Independence Day display will be delayed by more than a month.The city’s Civic Celebration Commission moved the Fourth of July fireworks to a Tosa Night Out on Aug. 7 during a January meeting. The request came from police and fire officials over security and staffing concerns. Monday, a city spokesperson said July is extremely busy for police dealing with the Republican National Convention and other public safety events. Many in downtown Tosa told 12 News they’re not happy with the decision to move the holiday fireworks a month later.”I just think it’s breaking the American tradition on July 4. I don’t really think there’s anything special in August,” said Rita Becerra. Hannah Schein understands the public safety concerns, but said it doesn’t seem like Independence Day without the flashy finale.”I think that’s a reasonable thing to ask us as a community, but also, I feel like people like to see fireworks on the Fourth of July, and to move it a whole month later as well, I don’t know, I don’t feel like it’s the celebration then,” Schein said.Daniel Dunn was hoping to take his two young boys to the fireworks show again this Fourth of July.”It sucks. We like to go, we went the past few years. They love it. So August 7th? Yeah, that would just be a disappointment,” he said. While city leaders confirmed details of the change with 12 News, none agreed to an interview Monday night.