Fourth of July cuts

The economy, rain and some say the police are putting a damper on 4th of July festivities in Port St. Lucie. The city is gearing up for a booming 4th of July, but this year money's tight. Port St. Lucie City Recreation Specialist, Allison MacDonald, says, "We are just being more creative." Her crew is trying to do more with less, and a 10% cut in Freedom Fest funds didn't help. What it helping is the new location: The Port St. Lucie Civic Center and new activities like live bands, face painting, and more kids activities.

This festival is free to all, and it's something the police encourage you to attend. Captain Scott Bartal says it will keep people from setting off fireworks at home and he says, "You can be arrested it is a misdemeanor." It's illegal in Florida to set-off big booming fireworks at home. The city will be warning offenders. 

A Miami church is running a tent and they sell legal fireworks. Church-goer Debbie May says, "No firecrackers, no smoke bombs." But business is hurting right now, plus the rain is stopping the curious shoppers. Come Sunday though, the shows must go on. Freedom Fest will still be hopping, parties can still be fun and legal, and there will be plenty of fireworks. Law enforcement says the reason for the crackdown is simply just for safety reasons.