If you’re headed to Silver Beach in St. Joseph today for tonight’s Fourth of July fireworks, Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey says you’ll need to be patient when it’s time to go home.
“It takes all day for everyone to get there, and then after the fireworks, all five, six, 7,000 people all want to leave at once,” says Bailey. His best advice is to take your time. “Don’t be in a hurry to leave. Sit around and visit a little bit before you head to your car and that will give the other cars a chance to get out of your way so you’re not backed up in traffic.”
His department and the St. Joseph Department of Public Safety will have extra officers on patrol today to avoid a repeat of last year’s melee. Coolers will be checked, as alcohol isn’t allowed. The fireworks are scheduled to launch at 10:30 p.m.
