#ShushBlairgowrie is an initiative with the goal of ending the use of firecrackers within the suburb of Blairgowrie and beyond. Every year, particularly during the festive season, residents and animals living in Blairgowrie are traumatised by a few individuals who (in many cases) break the law by shooting firecrackers.These individuals’ behaviour leave residents feeling angry and frustrated, not to mention the hundreds of animals who remain shell-shocked by these events.
#ShushBlairgowrie seeks to overcome this problem through 4 key principles:
- Empower residents by providing education of the city’s fireworks bylaws.
- Inspire residents to pledge not to shoot firecrackers and to report perpetrators.
- Promote active citizenry and social cohesion to end the use of firecrackers.
- Work with stakeholders to create a neighbourhood for all people and animals.
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Johannesburg city fireworks by-laws
To kick start the initiative, we created an awareness campaign that educated and empowered the Blairgowrie community with the city's fireworks by-laws. We achieved this by placing the fireworks by-laws on various communication mediums such as: Posters, leaflets, social media posts (Facebook) and more.
Documentary - 83 Days a Stray
Marchus is a Ridgeback, who lives in Blairgowrie with his owners. He went missing the night of New Year’s Eve, 2015, as ‘bomb’ like firecrackers were launched illegally near his home. He was alone and cold, scavenging the streets for 83 days, all while his family did everything possible to find him. We captured his story and took to the Blairgowrie community’s residents, law enforcement and ward councillors to find out the fireworks by-laws, what can be done to stop firecrackers and how we can keep our pets and family safe and sound.
Responsible pet ownership
Using social media (Facebook), pet tips educated the community on responsible pet ownership and to keep their pets safe and sound during the legal fireworks nights.
Online presence
The Shush Blairgowrie website is a platform where users have access to the city's fireworks bylaws, pet tips, as well as who to call to report perpetrators.
