Anne Arundel Mall

Vendors, officials stress safety

They draw a breed of fireworks faithful who vendors say love to stock up on confetti poppers, sparklers and other devices that offer the excitement of a big Fourth of July spectacle with at-home convenience and a little more safety.

In the PPI of Maryland tent and stand in Edgewater at the corner of Route 2 and Mayo Road, shelves and tables yesterday displayed brightly colored packages of palm-sized Pop-Its and sprawling assortment trays with multiple fountain fireworks. Like prices - which could be anywhere from a dollar for small items to nearly $400 for more elaborate displays - the fireworks' capabilities showed a vast range that could offer the at-home, would-be pyrotechnician a pretty decent show.

One device, called the "Majestic Waterfall," which is securely fastened to an object such as a railing or ladder, emits colorful sparks in a waterfall-like display.

"I want the biggest one!" Brooke Hughes, 4, of Edgewater, said as she helped her mom, Nicole, pick out items for a birthday party.

According to site manager Judy Appleby, people come annually searching for an exciting addition to their Fourth of July celebration - whether that's a cookout or even a wedding.

"We have people who come every year with their list," Appleby said.

Stands like hers don't sell what some might consider traditional fireworks - nothing launches into the air or explodes, as state law allows only pyrotechnicians with a permit and insurance to purchase or set off such fireworks. However, these vendors still offer plenty of pizzazz from ground-based, nonexplosive sparkling fountains that vary in their colors, duration, noise and style.

Diane and John Staley, of Riva Trace, who have bought fireworks for the past three years, stopped by a stand in the parking lot of Westfield Annapolis mall to stock up for their Fourth of July gathering, mostly with their grandkids Lexy, 5, and Luc, 2, in mind.

"That's what I'm really excited about," Diane said. "I'm excited to see their faces."

At a stand near Marley Station mall off Ritchie Highway, employee Chris Henson said he also sees people pitching in for a community display as well as families returning for their favorites.

"As the kids get older they know what they like from last year," Henson said.

But even though the fountains are legal, they're still dangerous, said Division Chief Michael Cox, spokesman for the Anne Arundel County Fire Department. Referring to a report by the National Fire Protection Association, Cox said many injuries from fireworks and ground-based devices are heat-related with the eyes, head, hands, arms and legs most at risk.

Baltimore Crime Beat: Anne Arundel police arrest suspect in mall ...

Anne Arundel County police have arrested a Silver Spring man in the March 29 shooting in the parking lot of the Marley Station Mall on Ritchie Highway in Glen Burnie. Police said that the suspect and victim, 23-year-old Rickey Johnson of Snow Hill, had been arguing.

Two friends of the victim drove the wounded man to a nearby Dunkin Donuts and called police, who put out a lookout for two men in a dark gray Honda. Anne Arundel County police described the shooting as "drug related" and that the mall parking lot was picked as "meeting point."

The suspect was identified as Christopher Royal Gayle, 22, of the 1700 block of Mount Pisgah Lane in Silver Spring (pictured at left). Police said he was arrested at his Montgomery County house and hcarged with attempted first and second-degree murder, using a handgun in the commission of a felony and illegal possession of a handgun. Police said they are still trying to identify the second suspect.

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