SPRINGDALE -- Fireworks stand operators in Benton and Washington counties say they are concerned about being robbed when they stay in their tents overnight to protect thousands of dollars of fireworks.
Money from sales also could attract criminals, said Joe Wood, a Jake's Fireworks tent operator.
By the numbers
About 13 fireworks tents are permitted for Fayetteville and two may open up soon, according to the city’s planning department. Total numbers for all the cities were not available because of tracking differences, but TNT and Jake’s fireworks listed about 17 fireworks tents operating in Benton and Washington counties via their websites.
Source: Staff report
Tips
Police said the risk to fireworks tent operators is low, but there are things people can do to be safer.
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Have at least two people staying inside the tent
• Secure product as much as possible
• Keep money away from the tent, so it’s not as much of a target
• Have sufficient lighting
• Keep a cellphone nearby and don’t hesitate to call law enforcement officials to check something out
Source: Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Springdale Police Department, Fayetteville Police Department
Wood has been thinking about how to be safer since last year, when he was attacked while he slept in his fireworks tent. Two men held Wood at knifepoint, tied him up and robbed him, he said.
Like last year, Wood's tent is in the same secluded field across from St. Raphael Catholic Church.
Wood and other operators finished putting up fire extinguishers and banners and talked about safety Tuesday, the first day his tent was open.
Police told Wood they plan to drive by his tent frequently this year, but Wood said he's taking his own precautions.
A dog will be staying with him. Several acquaintances will be staying overnight. Wood might add extra fencing or put up hog wire.
Wood's tent didn't have enough lighting last year to allow nearby cameras to catch images of who robbed him, he said. He has already installed LED lighting, which he said all tent operators should do.
"Light that thing up like Christmas," Wood said.
Aggravated robbery of fireworks tents, such as what happened to Wood, isn't widespread, law enforcement officials said. Still, tent operators have hired off-duty police officers to work in uniform, said Fayetteville police spokesman Sgt. Craig Stout.
Operator Ashley Coston who runs the TNT Fireworks tent in front of the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Pleasant Street plans to bring her pit bull dog for extra protection.
Coston, a local teacher, is a first-time operator who is raising money to cover family costs. She is pregnant with her first child. Safety is a concern, she said.
Wood is a Knights of Columbus council member. The money from the fireworks Wood sells goes to charities. This year, the money will be divided among several charities, including a local Boy Scout troop and band students raising money for a trip, Wood said.
Wood said he was still worried because he believed one person involved in his robbery was still out there.
Andrew Wallace, 22, turned himself in to authorities and was convicted in October of robbing Wood. He is in a state prison. Wood said the second person involved was never arrested. Springdale police spokesman Lt. Derek Wright said the case is closed.
Stout and Washington County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Kelly Cantrell said there were no similar robberies last year in their jurisdictions. Wright called what happened to Wood "a rarity" and said he couldn't remember any other serious instances involving fireworks tents.
Police in Rogers and Little Flock police said fireworks cannot be sold in the city. Any problems most likely would be in the county, they said.
Benton County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Keshia Guyll didn't return messages left Monday or Tuesday, neither did Bentonville Police Department spokesman Gene Page.
Wood said he knew of one other tent burglarized last year in Springdale. It wasn't just his tent, he said.
Coston said she hopes her tent's location -- right beside a busy parking lot and highway -- will reduce chances of crime.
"We're just hoping for the best," Coston said.
NW News on 06/30/2016