Escapees & Former Guard Still Missing - Reward Offered
Escapees & Former Guard Still Missing - Reward Offered Save Email Print
Posted: 9:20 PM Oct 28, 2007
 Last Updated: 7:13 AM Oct 31, 2007
 Email Address: news@kake.com
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The search for two escaped El Dorado Correctional Facility inmates has led law enforcement officials to Sayre, Oklahoma. Investigators say clothing believed to belong to Steven A Ford and Jesse L. Bell was found shortly after 10:00 AM Monday. Sayre is in the southwestern part of Oklahoma approximately 300 miles from El Dorado.

The sheriff of Beckham County, Oklahoma says the clothing was found this morning by a Department of Transportation crew emptying trash at a rest area near Sayre, off of Interstate 40. Inside the trash they found two department of corrections uniforms.

The escape was reported at about 8:30 Sunday evening when a hole was discovered cut in a fence at the El Dorado Correctional Facility. They escaped in a vehicle that was parked nearby.

That car was found in the parking lot of an Augusta shopping center. Authorities say that vehicle was traced to a former prison employee - 23-year-old Amber Goff.

Evidence found at Goff's home has also implicated her in the escape plot, including driving directions to Canada. Goff was employed at EDCF from September 2006 through October 2007. They won't say what her position at the prison was or what duties it entailed.

They believe she is currently with the escapees.

It is believed they are now traveling in a 2007 light blue Ford Taurus with Arkansas plates 088 LJT. The vehicle was rented through Enterprise Car Rental in Oklahoma City prior to the escape.

Department of Corrections Spokesperson Bill Miskell due to the receipts found in the personal residence for recent purchases of ammunition, the escapees should be considered armed and dangerous. He asks that anyone who sees anyone matching their descriptions call local law enforcement immediately and do not approach them.

Ford was convicted in 1998 in Wyandotte County of robbery and aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

Bell was convicted for offenses stretching back to 1991 in Finney and Cowley County. Those offenses include forgery, burglary, kidnapping, aggravated robbery, and aggravated escape from custody.

Again, Bell and Ford should not be approached. If you believe you've seen them, call your local authorities immediately.

Their pictures can be viewed at the bottom of this article. Their criminal histories can be viewed here

Jesse Bell
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Posted by: Jeeves Location: El Dorado on Nov 10, 2007 at 09:56 PM
To The citizens of Kansas: Goff, Bell and Ford have helped prove to all of use that the Kansas Prison systems is a fraud. Super-Max, my butt. We are all in grave danger. I have been informed by several reliable sources that there is absolutely no concept of security, at the El Dorado prison. All the administration is concerned about is keeping tobacco out of the prison. WOW! I am so happy to hear that my tax dollars are keeping tobacco at bay. Hey, here is a great thought. How about keeping the guns, knives, bolt cutters and drugs out. How about treating your staff better, so you are able to retain your better guards. Stop firing guards for not attending church services - RAY. Your running a prison, not searching for lost disciples. I also want to hear more from someone about these post release inmates committing crimes and not being sent back to prison. What's that all about? (Extortion by the State)
Posted by: Another anon Location: Kansas on Oct 31, 2007 at 12:07 PM
Jennifer. Check your grammar (sentence structure and punctuation)) before you chuck a rock at someone else. Also, it would be nice if you could contribute something other than your own elitism to this discussion. Thank you Jen.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Wichita on Oct 31, 2007 at 12:04 PM
2 out of 5 towers ARE MANNED 24/7. Don't listen to that schmuck from Topeka. Secondly yard in the cell house where those 2 were housed is done on second shift. This is because they can't do more than one cell house at once because conflicts occur between inmates from other cell houses. 3rdly second shift is currently under staffed 30-40 employees as well as the other shifts too but second is the worst. For the guy explaining the human error factor it didn't start with opening doors without someone there. First off it's now 2 people to even open a beanhole. Secondly the "human error" factor would of had to start after escorting them to the showers prior to yard to be strip searched. somehow they got wire cutters out to yard. And from there I'm still boggled. For anyone that has worked there we understand how mind boggling this is and how much planning and risk there is to escape from segregation. There is still much to be uncovered.
Posted by: Jim Smith Location: Kansas on Oct 31, 2007 at 10:37 AM
Only one tower is manner, the others are vacant. El Dorado is always short by 75 security staff members. For those that think it isn't Topeka's fault, let me tell you this. You sound like you are from Central Office, with your hands-off attitude. Roger Werholtz (and crew) doesn't want ANY accountability for his prisons. He is scared to death of litigation and would gladly lay blame on his people for anything he won't take credit for. The problem IS Topeka. Stop with the kinder-gentler DOC and start enforcing good security practices. Get your heads out of your butts (Topeka), get the proper funding for your facilities and cease with political, feel-good politics and dog-and-pony show antics where inmates can't be held accountable for their actions. Start acting like professionals and treat your employees (in all facilities) like they are assets. These problems are only going to get worse because there is NO leadership from the top. Hello Topeka ? Your prisons are run by the inmates !
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Wichita on Oct 31, 2007 at 09:47 AM
Woo-hoo, they got caught, now string'em up!
Posted by: jennifer Location: Topeka on Oct 31, 2007 at 09:44 AM
The post I hope thay get away, use spell check it is they!
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 31, 2007 at 04:36 AM
hope thay get away
Posted by: D.w.C. Location: WEST TEXAS AREA on Oct 31, 2007 at 03:14 AM
I would like everyone to know that Amber Goff's mother, Laurie Nutter, she is my first cousin. I am a police officer in a Lubbock Texas, I more that anyone want the guys caught. I feel the worse thing could and might happen. Many time the worse happens, but you dont ever think that I could or might happen. When I got the news, I just had to thing twice but for it really sunk in. I then began to search Kansas TV stations to really confrim things. This is my job in looking for people this was and I did search all places the car might be, the places began to be massive, they could be anywhere. But I want to nail these people more ways than one can imagine, not only in the safety of the public, but a peace officers stand point. It has not sunk in still. They will be found and off the streets before they really HURT someone. I would like to see ALL PRISONS in the MAXIMUM SECURITY style, even FEDERAL. No House arrest etc, so this((prison breaks)) never happens AT ALL. THX 2 ALL B SAFE.
Posted by: U Wish Location: Hutchinson on Oct 31, 2007 at 02:15 AM
I too have worked for the KDOC. I left to become a police officer and make more money. I can't say much about EDCF for the govenor needs to wake up...if you pay like shit, and treat your people like shit then guess what, you will get shitty people working for you. Ole Amber looks like she just climbed out of the trailer park and thats what EDCF paid for. This is the states fault, and I agree more then amber involved in this one. Probably still a female employee working out there in love.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: wichita on Oct 31, 2007 at 12:54 AM
was she kidnapped before or after she left the car for them to get away in....wait maybe it was after she got the driving directions to canada......i bet it was after she rented the car in oklahoma.....or could it have been after the guns were taken from family and ammo was purchased for them and reciepts were found in her home?........things that make you go DUH!!!!
Posted by: Ex-Female Cop on Oct 31, 2007 at 12:23 AM
First of all, is it true that all the towers are not manned? I was told by a good source this was true. Those who work there or have worked there enlighten us. Second, just because they THINK it was a female officer that assisted the prisoners, doesn't mean all female officers are on the take. Third, right now, I don't care where you work. For the most part we are not paid what we feel is enough. Yes, the job is crap, if so, don't work there, unless you enjoy it. If so then stay with it. No one is getting raises now days. It is tough all over. Fourth, lots of folks work there because they like that type of environment, "yes sir", "no sir" "I have authority over you" attitude.(especially upper managment) Yes it would be nice to make more money but don't blame wages on human error. Find a job you can live on for less if you think the job s**ks. Plain and simple.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Butler Co on Oct 30, 2007 at 10:41 PM
Im a ex employee of EDCF and there is no doubt in my mind that there was atleast 3-4 employees helping the escape of these two inmates. all the cell houses are split in half with atleast 1 officer on each side and one person in Control. and it the unit where they were housed they have 2 officers on each side. The doors are not to be opened in Seg with out a officer at the door, which means the officers on the floor either game the control officer the ok to open the door or they just set there and allowed the inmates to walk out the door. Second the control had to open atleast 3 secured doors leading out to the yard area. I know for a fact that when i worked there from 1999 - 2003 there hour a day began @ 7am. so there is no reason they should have been out there. They have been under staffed and under paid for a long time, and that need to change before someone really gets hurt. Better pay would get you Better employees.
Posted by: emery Location: arkansas on Oct 30, 2007 at 09:34 PM
This might come as a suprise to some, however after i started in 1995 there was a lieutenant(female) that was fired after it was discovered that she was trying to sneak a inmate out that she had a relationship with. One thing i ask that people keep in mind is that a team is only good as the leader and when heads start rolling over this it should start at the top. We have witnessed warden roberts many times attending social events to raise money for the chapel they are wanting to build out there. Maybe this money would find better use elsewhere. When is the last time we have seen him want to raise money for security improvements or staff raises? I believe a investigation should be completed by an outside agency. I worked 7 of my 9 years of employment in these so called (lockdown) units and have always stated that these units should be ran by hand chosen staff. This was after we lowered testing scores and age requirements of projected employees.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 30, 2007 at 07:42 PM
Clearly there were several areas of human error, that's a fact. I have a friend who works for the DOC, he said that several fences would have to have been cut before the escape. He also said there should have be a camera on the area, inmates should have been searched before they went into the "dog run" and officers should have been searched or scanned before they entered the prision - lots of steps not folled. I read the comments below and am a bit concerned with the notes that say the facilities are understaffed? When you think of 1 to 2 officers to 100 inmates and compare that to 1 school teacher for every 15 to 20 students, something is really wrong with this picture. Working in an environment with murderers should warrent more officer protection... I would think. Is this a true statement? What is the liability to the State if employees get hurt? Are we setting ourselves up for more break outs? What's going on, who's guarding who? Seems to me our politians to to pay attention.
Posted by: x emp Location: kqansas on Oct 30, 2007 at 05:31 PM
They did not cut through the fence the prision is hiding the factes
Posted by: Anonymous Location: KS on Oct 30, 2007 at 05:04 PM
I don't believe this is Topeka's problem and people need to start concentrating on the staff at EDCF! What does the warden have to say? Where are the people that were in charge of running that shift!! You can't blame Topeka they can't be there to hold the facility's hand. Maybe if Warden Roberts wasn't always preaching in a kinder gentler corrections this wouldn't have happend! Knowing that 2-10 shift is the lowest staffed shift why was yard being run during that time? Look at the EDCF Personel not Topeka..they're just as upset as everyone else!
Posted by: Anonymous Location: El Dorado, KS on Oct 30, 2007 at 04:58 PM
The news last night stated that due to budget cuts years ago, the towers at the ECF have NOT been manned for YEARS! I don't know if other residents of the area were aware of this, I sure wasn't! This is ridiculous for a Maximum Security Prison. Prisons house High Profile Criminals with obviously brilliant criminal minds, (many of them got away with crimes for years before ever being caught). What do the KDOC expect? Alarms sound and red flashing lights go off on the fences once they are breeched, yet they cut through 3 fences and weren't stopped! I know they had help, but the girl would have waiting in the car on the highway, not helping them cut through 3 fences, since she was no longer an employee there. I think the citizens of this state deserve some answers about how the prisons in KS are operated. Kansans pay extremely high taxes and there should be plenty of money to pay quality people decent wages for the work they have to do and the people they have to deal with!
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Wichita on Oct 30, 2007 at 04:41 PM
considering the fact that inmates areSUPPOSE to be strip searched before going to yard exposes another breach. obviously they got a tool to cut through the yard fence from either A. a employee or B. they were not searched. On top of that there is suppose to be an officer watching the inmates the entire time. Females are not the only ones commiting unauthorized relations. It is males too. and it's not always sexual.Bev I understand your idea but the worse an inmate could do is threaten an employees family or maybe get an outside source to do more. I think that will be her defense whether or not its true or not. I don't know the girl personally but I can tell you that you have to pay close attention to your job. inmates have nothing better to do than to think of ways to get employees on their side all day everyday. They start out very small and over time they go futher and further and once you cross the line its either stick with them or they tell what you've done so far.
Posted by: Face it on Oct 30, 2007 at 12:44 PM
JUST FACE IT THE PLACE WAS BUILT RIGHT AND NOW IT WAS HUMAN (OFFFICER) ERROR. SOMEONE SOME WHERE SCREWED UP AND THE TOOLS TO AID THEM ON GETTING OUT GOT TO THEM SOME HOW.
Posted by: Bev Location: Wichita on Oct 30, 2007 at 12:40 PM
I'm just playing Devils Advocate here-did anybody see this Amber girl helping them exscape? One of the inmates has kidnapping on his rap sheet-who says she wasn't kidnapped?
Posted by: ms p Location: wichita on Oct 30, 2007 at 11:34 AM
women guard are not the only ones to blame in this situation only the ones that were involved are to blame yeah there may have been some help from other guards but don't go saying women shouldnt work in all men prison because it could happen in a all womens prison also with a women guard remember same sex relationships so only blame the ones that are involved not all women or men guards
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Wichita on Oct 30, 2007 at 11:16 AM
BTK is kept in the same type of housing as those 2 are as well as the carr brothers and the rest of Kansas's finest. I worked in the cell house where BTK is located and he has the EXACT same accommodations. 1 hour 5 days a week in the yard (he has yet to go outside because of the possible target it on his head). There is much much more to be uncovered on this story. The guy at the news conference that said the towers are not used is some schmuck from Topeka that doesn't know what he's talking about. 2 of the towers are manned 24/7 as well as a mobile perimeter patrol. The condition that is called for a possible breach of the outside fence was called but the control dispatch didn't call for a reponse mostly because it happens so often and its usually nothing but a bird or somthing. He didn't call a condition till after he had the perimeter patrol check it out where he found a hole THEN called the response team SEVERAL minutes later.
Posted by: Jim Smith Location: Kansas on Oct 30, 2007 at 09:34 AM
I work for DOC. Here's the deal. The personnel problem stems from not being able to retain employees. DOC has to take whatever it can get staff-wise because #1, it's a crap job (and Topeka knows this) and #2, DOC (legislature and governor) refuses to pay enough to keep people in the crap job. They escaped through the fence because staff became complacent. The alarm activated, as it always does, for birds squirrels, etc. The policy is "quick response" but because of all the false alarms, staff assumed it was another false alarm and took their time getting there to verify and clear the zone. The inmates (and staff) know the drill so they exploited this weakness in security. DOC has yet to learn that if they treat staff like employees, instead of just another body, or worse yet, like an inmate, they would stand a better chance of keeping their people. Better pay and more respectable relations between administration and staff would help DOC tremendously. Wake up and fix this, Topeka !
Posted by: michael Location: mulvane high on Oct 30, 2007 at 09:30 AM
;0
Posted by: doug on Oct 30, 2007 at 08:22 AM
I agree with the ex-inmate, I once worked there and can tell you when you are in the houses they were in you just don't walk around doing your own thing. Either the CO's just weren't doing their jobs or it was an inside job. I think their was a little bit of both going on.
Posted by: Gem Location: Wichita on Oct 30, 2007 at 08:20 AM
Okay people lets think about what everyone here is talking about they are inmates and inmates have a criminal past and many of them still think the same way in prison, I know its a shock. Also no prison is perfect and you could change a million things, but these types of things still happen. Also to A who says women should not be prison guards, I bet you are an overweight man, of average intelligence who makes less then 40,000 a year. I also think it's totally cool you voice that opinion here, but I'm sure you would never say it in real life. Because an Army gal like me who has trained and trained to work EPW and POW camps could surely show you a thing or two. The problem here is plain and simple it is the human factor, we don't pay these co's enough. Until everyone is comfortable with a tax hike then you should calm down. You want these people to put their lives in danger everyday and then pay them peanuts.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 30, 2007 at 06:31 AM
Topkeka, it's time you take a look at what's really going on at our facilities, don't turn your back on us again. For the last five years you've promised us help, yet each year we're told next year, and each year, you don't come through. We're suffering! Over the past few years, we've asked for support by hiring additional staff and asked for an increase in pay. Yes, some staff received pay increases and entry level pay was raised, but staffing level were still not addressed nor were pay increases addressed for other dedciated correctional employees. How do you expect to keep good employees when they're forced to work every weekend, nights, and overtime on a regular basis? We can't even get a day off when we try to take vacation -- there's not enough staff. Pay increases are a start, but it's only a pile of dirt in front of a dam ready to burst. 1 to 2 officers per 100 inmates doesn't work, our staffing levels need to be increased. Focus on keeping the good employees.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: wichita on Oct 30, 2007 at 01:19 AM
i read the story about the former cell mate where he said goff was tough...i happen to know amber goff and tough is not a word i would use to describe her...desperate for attention, flaky, a bit of a (dont mean to be crude) slut. I feel bad for her children and husband...if they were still together
Posted by: Anonymous Location: el dorado on Oct 29, 2007 at 08:56 PM
As for BTK being housed as these 2, that's far from true. Inmates like him are kept in solitary confinement. As for the the tower and patrol personel, if I recall right there were only 3 towers that were manned 24/7, So it is possible to cut the fence, have to take into mind those fences do have alarms. The response team was just a few seconds late. Hope for Amber it was worth it. Hope she lived her life to the fullest for what the 23 years?
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 29, 2007 at 08:09 PM
It's time that the State start paying attention to what's really going on in our prisons. Facilites are working way below thier staffing levels paying overtime just to cover an already bare to the bone shift. When something like this happens, other facilies work even shorter to send help to the affected facility. Why are staffing level so low? Because there is no money budgeted to increase staffing levels. Our prisons are facing a crisis situation. Does an innocent citizen have to get hurt before something is done to make a change?
Posted by: A. Location: V. on Oct 29, 2007 at 07:09 PM
This is exactly why women should not be allowed to work in an all male prison! They (women guards) fall for the fake sob stories of the CONs and help them out. Look at the dog lady from Lansing!
Posted by: EX INMATE OF EDCF Location: WICHITA on Oct 29, 2007 at 05:54 PM
I DDONT CARE WHAT ANY BODY SAYS IT WAS MORE THAN JUST ONE OFFICER THAT HELPED. I SAY THAT BECAUSE A CELL HOUSE AND B CELL HOUSE AND C CELL HOUSE INMATES ARE CUFFED FROM THEIR CELL TO THE DOG RUNS" THAT IS THE SEG YARD . THEY ARE ACTUAL DOG CAGES.THE INMATES ARE PLACED IN SIDE AFTER THE GATES ARE LOCKED THE INMATES STICK THERE HANDS OUT OF THE OPENNING THE CUFFS ARE REMOVED " THE INMATES THEN HAVE A OPTION TO LIFT A WEIGHT OR SHOOT ABASKET BALL. A OFFICER IS PRESENT "" OR SHOULD I SAY SUSPOSED TO BE PRESENT. AND THE INMATE IS SUSPOSED TO BE SHOOK DOWN BEFORE THEY ENTER THE YARD AREA.HOW DID THEY GET OUT OF THE DOG RUN """"" TO EVEN GET TO THE GATE. OH NOW YOU BELEIVE ME THERE WAS MORE HELP..
Posted by: knowitall Location: kansas on Oct 29, 2007 at 04:46 PM
actually, btk isn't let out of sight. Neither of these guys has actually killed anyone, unlike btk who murdered many. Totally different situation.
Posted by: Emery Location: Anonymous KS on Oct 29, 2007 at 04:26 PM
I used to work at the prison and the place has turned into a joke! The Captain that was running the shift is worthless as is most of the upper staff..it's a political game up there and this was bound to happen..still have many friends up there and they knew something was going to happen soon because everything is so relaxed around there! Maybe Topeka should start looking at the type of staff they have and do some reevaluating! I just hope and pray that no one gets seriously hurt due to the complacancy of some of the EDCF Staff..
Posted by: Anonymous2 Location: Wichita on Oct 29, 2007 at 04:22 PM
No one was supposed to be able to escape from Alcatraz either. They both should have been hanging from a big oak tree long ago. It's not like they were there because they stole a candy bar from the local QT.
Posted by: Teddie Location: Salina on Oct 29, 2007 at 04:08 PM
As a former female Corrections Officer in a male prison, I find this whole situation offensive. There is nothing entertaining about a former C.O. helping an inmate escape. There were many clues to lead up to this situation that were overlooked by MANY people. There are "Good" C.O.'s that work extra hard to make sure safety and security is the top priority! They work extra hours and pull overtime to make sure other staff and civilians around Kansas are protected. If this woman was involved that makes the women that are honest and giving 100% to D.O.C. look horrible. This has caused society to look at every one of them in a tarnished light, because of the few that are desperate. When the state cuts raises for Corrections employees you have to start hiring who applies. Keep the wages competitive and you will have more applicants to choose from instead of hoping that those who applied have the right qualifications.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: El Dorado on Oct 29, 2007 at 02:37 PM
Yeah But they Had help that is the only reason they got out
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 29, 2007 at 02:12 PM
What is so funny about it?
Posted by: Anonymous Location: KS on Oct 29, 2007 at 01:09 PM
Is funny to me how they try to make use feel safe and they are in the "highest sercurity" state prison in kansas yet theyy got out. Let me make something clear these men were housed just as BTK. So that tells you that he can do it too... Ponder on that one.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: El Dorado on Oct 29, 2007 at 01:00 PM
You about an idiot. You think its funny that people escaped from prision. Maybe you should be in prison just for thinking its "funny". We can only hope no one gets hurt in getting these two back in prison. If god forbide someone did get hurt, I hope you feel like dog ****.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Wichita on Oct 29, 2007 at 12:57 PM
Ford was to be released in Nov. 26th 2007 what was he thinking.
Posted by: ms p Location: wichita on Oct 29, 2007 at 12:47 PM
is it that easy their to bust trying to lock people up they need to concentrate on keeping em there
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Wichita on Oct 29, 2007 at 12:43 PM
Sounds like perimeter officer and tower officers were slepping on the job to me. Whos next Radar.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 29, 2007 at 12:20 PM
being one of the residents that live within walking distance of the prison it would have been nice if we had been informed of the escape a little earlier. It was almost an hour before anything was posted on tv.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 29, 2007 at 12:09 PM
funny....? you know it never would of happened without the help of a employee. im curious to know why thats funny...
Posted by: Burt Location: Long on Oct 29, 2007 at 11:51 AM
They want us to think it's maximum security, yea right! Just who was looking the other direction when this occured? Where were the guards in the towers?
Posted by: DUSTY Location: Wichita on Oct 29, 2007 at 11:48 AM
JdfewetbWET ERTBTYER BT4 AQ 4T ERTERTERT BTRE RT BTR WERT WE45BW45B SERT B ETB AERTBERT ER 6 NYRE
Posted by: Anonymous Location: wichita ks on Oct 29, 2007 at 09:43 AM
thats just funny. I wondered how long it would take before someone did it.
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    • Posted By: Firefighter: Fireworks were banned in Sedgwick County in 1978. Why? There weren't enough firefighters and equipment to go around. Calls were waiting for a response. Firefighters came to work at 7:00 and didn't see their station until the following morning. There were was much damage to fire equipment. The County department had a tank truck roll. This type of response had been occuring for several years. This doesn't even speak to the damage to stuctures, possesions and the persons that where injured. The departments and civic leaders said enough,and fireworks were banned. Some of you say we are unamerican. Far from the truth. You have asked us to watch after you and assist in the time of need. Sometimes that means prevetion instead of action. I love fireworks as much as the next person. Fireworks have slowly made it back into many communities. If everyone can prove they have self control and caution when using fireworks then, they may come back everywhere. Stay safe this 4th.
    • Posted By: Anonymous: I guess I'm one of the hundreds of others that did not realize ALL FIREWORKS WERE ILLEGAL! (At least For those of us living outside a city limits in sedgwick county). I knew that while some cities Belle Plaine, Clearwater, Haysville, etc.. chose to allow BIG STUFF (the aerials) Wichita did not. The 78' fireworks ban was for the BIG STUFF!! The unincorporated areas had to follow sedgwick county's allowable fireworks same as the city of wichita chose to do. What year did they sneak in NO FIREWORKS AT ALL OF ANY TYPE for unincorporated sedgwick county?? It wasn't in the original ban. Living outside the city limits of any town, even when ALL FIREWORKS were allowed there were no fireworks stands out here, and the news was saying buy where you live, I called the no fire number for the sedgwick county fire department and asked where we should buy fire works that would be legal and I was told in wichita city limits. This is unconstitutional, prejudiced and segregates rural sedgwick county!!!!
    • Posted By: George Washington: This is all silly. I am going outside to set off Fireworks.
    • Posted By: Susan: Ok, I will expect everyone who is upset to show up at the next Sedgwick County council meeting. If you don't even at least call your councilman, than you should not complain.
    • Posted By: Shaun: I think that people in the county needs to remember that this day is to celebrate or freedom as a country!!! China gave us fireworks to help US and a COUNRTY celebrate. To me this is UNAMERICAN!!! Yes, i agree that the big ones that can set major fires sould probly not be shot in rural areas. And all though this law don't affect me personally, it still does as I am a soldier and an American. I am proud of my country. Even if I could only shoot off fountains or what ever I still think that is better than nothing. As long as the person shooting them off is doing it on a concrete surface I don't see why they can't have small fireworks!!!!!
    • Posted By: donald otnes: My daughter called me at 10:15 pm on July 2, 2009. She had people setting off fireworks in her housing district. The kids were firing off the ones that sound like a bomb going off. Are people that stupid to let kids have fireworks that could blow up and take a hand off or even there face.
    • Posted By: miss america: My family is apparently among the wild, irresponsible rednecks in unincorporated Sedgwick county that have shot off fireworks every year on the 4th since I was a baby. It's true there is a need to protect farmers' wheatfields, so I can understand why the county might ban the big fireworks that fly up in the air, and bottle rockets, etc. But, why shouldn't we be able to at least set off the smaller fireworks, such as fountains, that are less dangerous? Why are our families denied the privilege of celebrating the 4th in a safe, fun way just because we live in the unincorporated areas? This fireworks ban on the 4th needs to be loosened up. It's really not fair.
    • Posted By: a: Think about this people! Fireworks are loud and anoying! I am so sick of people setting them off late at night while we are trying to sleep! My baby is being kept up by fireworks because people set them off at two in the morning!Please just think about where you are setting them off like close to houses and apartment buildings. Those are not good places to be doing them!
    • Posted By: Firefighters daughter: For those who think that firefighters just "sit around" you obviously have no idea what these people do. Just looking at the 4th, I can recall as a child how we all wondered if my dad would get to finish his hamburger before being called out to yet another of the many fires he went on that day . The work they do isn't restricted to a summer holiday. Think about the gear they wear...heavy coats, boots, air tanks, even on 100 degree days. Take a walk in their boots and face the fires, car accidents, tornado/storms, floods, and other emergencies they must face with courage, calm, and strength in order to save lives and property. As for "washing the truck" and other maintenance that must be done, do you want a rusted out, broken hosed truck showing up at your house because they DIDN't do those things? I hope they do get a chance to relax, eat, sleep, etc. between the emergencies they must face. I want a well rested and ready fire fighter showing up at my house should I ever need one
    • Posted By: rebecca: hey does anyone know if the little boy that went into QT has been found? I know this isn't the topic but I just wanted to know.
    • Posted By: : h: I believe that fireworks like Black Cats can be used in Derby as well as Wichita (it's been a long time since I've done any here so I wouldn't definitely know). But they might be setting off something bigger like an M50. The main problems they've had is with the ones that burst into showers of colored balls and sparks like we see in the big displays, roman candles, M80s and the ones that spray out sparks. The Eagle Beacon, last year, said that a good rule of thumb is if they shoot out sparks more than about 6 feet from the device then they are probably illegal.
    • Posted By: h: well they are sure shooting them in derby and we're in sedgwick county either they are not banned or the police in derby are not doing anything about the ones that are shooting off fireworks already. Frankly I'm sick of it, the neighborhood kids are shooting them off close to my property and my dogs are having fits, a call to the local police dpt says nothing they can do....so if they are banned in sedgwick county then they should be banned in derby and the derby police dpt needs to start enforcing the ban, if they aren't banned in derby then they need to be, there are other ways of having a good time on the 4th of July without having to endanger your yard, my yard, your life!!!!
    • Posted By: : If everyone was a responible person that means for their self and for the one's that have children, then we wouldn't have had these laws made.The population is so high now that the fire departments are on overload because of the people that will not take responsiblity for their actions.And as far as the fire department setting around!!! Let your house be on fire and then have to wait because these people are not at their work area's because you think they are setting around.I would hate for them to be kept busy 24/7. What would happen to our town without them if that were the case.Already the street that I live on is littered with trash from fire works because people are not responsibly.(not all)
    • Posted By: D: I completely agree with Anonymous at 9:26. Linda, unless you've been living under a rock, it's been well known for years that fireworks are illegal in the city limits. They make the same announcements every year. They don't sell the "big" illegal fireworks in the city but everyone still goes out of city limits to buy them and then come back home and shoot them off out in the neighborhood streets. I've seen fireworks in my neighborhood that would rival the ones at riverfest and Lawrence Dumont stadium and they aren't legal in the city.
    • Posted By: : Cliff: That's true but when they are burned off purposely there are fire control measures in place. When someone sets a fire with fireworks they tend to run away and then it gets out of control. Like I said, I've missed work because of people who do this. The reason why they made them illegal in Sedgwick County to begin with is because most people here are not responsible enough to use them safely. And Linda: They've been telling people every year that they are illegal. Most people just don't pay attention. And they only selll fireworks in Wichita that you can set off in Wichita. That's why they've always said "Shoot them where you buy them".
    • Posted By: Rod: I'm with 'Anonymous on Jul 1, 2009 at 08:08 AM'... Helps us Obama! We need you to protect us from ourselves! ALL PRAISE OBAMA!!!
    • Posted By: Linda: Ok, for one I think if they were illegal, than why didn't we know about it along time ago. I bet that the majority of the people that lives in Wichita didn't know this, and I think it is not right to start enforcing it NOW, I mean come on the main reason why people shoot of fireworks is for the kids entertainment, Also if its going to be illegal than why on earth should selling fireworks at the stands not be? People see the signs that fireworks are illegal, but when they are driving around wichita and see firework stands it just tempts them that much more. So I think its not right.
    • Posted By: cliff: anonomous at 8;08, fireworks are a tradition on the fourth of july. and the "tinderbox "harvesed wheat fields are usually burnt off this time of year anyway even without fireworks.
    • Posted By: : Bottle Rocket Roger: What makes you think being American means you should have the right to set off explosives? For the idiots who think they need to have fireworks: how many of you have to call into work and tell your boss you can't come in because some moron set fire to your house or yard? What about when they go outside the city & set them off in newly harvested wheat fields that are nothing more than tinderboxes at this time of year? Every year for the past six years I've lost pay because idiots cannot control themselves or the fires they set.
    • Posted By: don: its really sad,,,,we are not hardly even "independent" anymore,,,the government has "used" up all are rights,,,,,like the ol' saying goes though "just be glad your not getting ALL the government you pay for",,,,,period, end of sentence !!!!
    • Posted By: : Anonymous who is coming down on firefighters and their "lazy days of washing the trucks and sleeping and cooking meals" has no clue what firefighters do and how many calls many of the stations get,though many are medical. Firefighters are not exactly unpatriotic joy-squelchers, but they are supposed to educate the general public about fire safety. If you even understood all the job entailed you wouldn't talk like that.
    • Posted By: Bottle Rocket Roger: When I lived in a town just north of wichita,we were able to shoot fireworks ALL day long for a week..Park City allows fireworks ALL day long for week,NO problems in either town! We celebrate the 4th like americans in these towns! The people that made fireworks illegal in Wichita and hate the fireworks are ALL UNAMERICAN! Go hide in you're basements and shake like a coward..the M80's are coming!
    • Posted By: : We need two things immediately. One, a petition to remove this descriminatory 1978 law against residents of the county, and secondly, another petition to remove the authors of this law if they are still in office, and any other person in authority that supports it. I'll drive any distance to sign those petitions. Our tax dollars were used to print and post these signs and will also be used again to remove them, and patrol neighborhoods looking for little kids shooting ladyfinger firecrackers. This travesty of the use of our tax dollars must be exposed with those that have attacked Independence Day.
    • Posted By: Bob: Enforce the law! Many firewoks are dangerous, destructive, and disturbing--especially to pets.
    • Posted By: : I never knew there were so many un-educated people around the state. It even says in the text of the story, that the fire department is not going to be doing extra patrolling, due to staffing. People are very careless with their fireworks in the "uncorperated" area's of the county. You add wind, and some dry wood, or brush.. And you cause a very dangerous situation, and put those "poorly staffed" fire deparments that respond in danger. ****If you live in a town/city in "sedgwick County".. you need to check your local laws. The no fireworks law - is for "uncorprated" - aka *NOT IN CITY LIMITS*
    • Posted By: Michelle: Can't we come to a compromise? Make them illigal everyday of the year, except the 4th? I agree with the ones on here that said we are celebrating our FREEDOM! This is what the USA is about. Hotdogs, baseball and fireworks! 8-)
    • Posted By: Kristy: "But many like Sedgwick County Resident Michael Dixson don't plan on breaking the law." Seriously - someone who writes for a news station should be familiar with proper grammar usage.
    • Posted By: : How ironic it is that it's Independance Day however; they tell you that you can't fire off any fireworks.....at least any that are worth paying money for. Yes, we're slowly on our way to becoming a communist country. I miss Archie Bunker!
    • Posted By: : Why even celebrate??? Pretty sad when Amerians can't participate in the tradation and celebration of America's Indepandance. I feel for you rual Sedwick County people. Sedwick County SUCKS!!
    • Posted By: Tim: The Fire Department IS NOT encouraging people to call 911 every time they see people shooting fireworks, this will create an unnecessary strain on the 911 system. The problem is being worked on and will take time to get things all straightened out. If you have an emergency or a problem that warrants calling 911 by all means call 911. What is not needed is a call to 911 every time you see someone shooting a firecracker.
    • Posted By: : The fire departments are going out of their way with NO FIREWORKS signs just because they don't want to have to work any more than they have to. Little fire here and there disrupts their lazy days of washing the trucks and sleeping and cooking meals!
    • Posted By: topper: at one time you couldn't shoot fire works in dodge, now that we can the 2nd through the 5th i think. i havent heard of more fires or whatever it is you think is going to happen if you were to allow.. its the 4th of july, and you stoping people from celebrating. thats dumb if you ask me. besides, people are going to shoot them off no matter what you do.
    • Posted By: Frankie: The Fire Department says it only enforces the law against fireworks in Sedgwick County, but I've lived here since 1938 and I remember that it was the Sedgwick County Fire Department that pushed for the County Commissioners to pass the illegal fireworks law.
    • Posted By: anoymous: It is a little confusing, because Park City has fireworks tents all over, but I thought Bel Aire and Park City were actually their own "cities", and not part of unincorporated Sedgwick County. And they are allowed in Goddard,I checked out the website. I wish there was a central list posted where they are legal/illegal, because I do think there is confusion about this, especially when I thought I heard people in Bel Aire saying they purchased permits in the past. Can anyone elaborate?
    • Posted By: Debby: If they are illegal why are they sold in the city where they are illegal?
    • Posted By: : Isn't it funny how it's called Independance Day but yet big brother wants to tell us we can't shoot fireworks? Screw you big brother!! I'm firing mine off!!
    • Posted By: Elmer: I saw on the news that you are asking the neighbors to report the people who are using fireworks to the police. Hitler did the same thing when enforcing his laws. Are we coming closer to socialist government, or are you just trying to create a community that is untenable due to loss of trust in neighbors? I can't believe we are repeating history again.
    • Posted By: bob: i think the county is forgetting what we are celebrating, our independence. so they should let us shoot them where you buy them.
    • Posted By: Justin: Land of the Free, My hind end. Restrictions yes, understandable. But, all out ban? This is not the America I fought for!!!!! Maybe before long we won't have any independence to celebrate!!! And I'm sure the fire fighters are just having to do what there told. Heck, most of them love fire or they wouldn't be doing there job.
    • Posted By: : "fire dept only enforces the law" im sure they had a say in how it was created. thats like saying police dont have a quota when writing tickets when im sure they do. how else are police measured when trying for promotions and raises--its by how many tickets they write, how many crimes they solve, ect. people are gonna shoot off fireworks and worry bout what happens later because this is the one time in the year that we get to do so! plus it helps celebrate america's birthday !!
    • Posted By: Mikea: I sure wish there was something we could do about the rednecks who insist on setting off the big heavy skybursts in our neighborhood at 1am every night. Fireworks should be illegal inside the city. Loud car radios are, and fireworks are more dangerous.
    • Posted By: Bob: Ok maybe this is a stupid question, but what is unincorporated Sedgwick County? What is meant by that?
    • Posted By: AJ Simkatu: Everyone knows that fireworks that go up in the sky are illegal, even in the city of Wichita. The problem is that nobody cares. Most people think the ban is a ridiculous overreaction to a small problem. People are sick of the nanny state telling us what we can and can't do with our own lives and property. What's next, ban skydiving, skiing, riding dirt bikes, mountain climbing? The government needs to mind its own business and stay out of ours.
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