Fireworks enforcement still a challenge
Published on Wed, Aug 12, 2009 by Beckye RandallRead More Local News
The 4th of July is behind us, but can the rockets' red glare on New Year's Eve be far behind?
In 2008 Marysville adopted a tougher fireworks law that can result in an immediate $500 civil citation. Under state law, possession and/or discharge of illegal fireworks is a misdemeanor offense that carries a fine of up to $1,000 and the possibility of up to a year in jail.
According to many city residents, however, there was little noticeable difference over the recent July 4th weekend.
"The noise and the mess was just as bad as it's always been," said a person who lives near Marysville Middle School. The caller declined to be identified, but he voiced a common concern.
Marysville is one of only a handful of Snohomish County cities that still allow fireworks to be discharged within city limits. The celebratory displays are confined to the hours between 9 a.m. and midnight on July 4, and only "safe and sane" varieties of fireworks are allowed.
Lt. Jeff Goldman with the Marysville Police Department said the department ran emphasis patrols on July 3 and 4, with 48 responses to fireworks complaints over the holiday weekend. Only two citations were issued.
"Our officers performed a lot of confiscation work," said Goldman. "Often when we get a call, the offending party is gone when the officers arrive. Or there may be ten people in a group and nobody will take credit for the fireworks."
Officers did issue a number of warnings.
"The law wasn't designed to take away the officer's discretion," the lieutenant explained.
Because fireworks laws differ from one city to another, and in unincorporated areas of Snohomish County, Goldman reasoned that citizens may get confused.
"Maybe the council needs to look at a total ban on fireworks in order to resolve the problem," he suggested. "If it's completely black and white, there's no wiggle room."
In 2008 Marysville adopted a tougher fireworks law that can result in an immediate $500 civil citation. Under state law, possession and/or discharge of illegal fireworks is a misdemeanor offense that carries a fine of up to $1,000 and the possibility of up to a year in jail.
According to many city residents, however, there was little noticeable difference over the recent July 4th weekend.
"The noise and the mess was just as bad as it's always been," said a person who lives near Marysville Middle School. The caller declined to be identified, but he voiced a common concern.
Marysville is one of only a handful of Snohomish County cities that still allow fireworks to be discharged within city limits. The celebratory displays are confined to the hours between 9 a.m. and midnight on July 4, and only "safe and sane" varieties of fireworks are allowed.
Lt. Jeff Goldman with the Marysville Police Department said the department ran emphasis patrols on July 3 and 4, with 48 responses to fireworks complaints over the holiday weekend. Only two citations were issued.
"Our officers performed a lot of confiscation work," said Goldman. "Often when we get a call, the offending party is gone when the officers arrive. Or there may be ten people in a group and nobody will take credit for the fireworks."
Officers did issue a number of warnings.
"The law wasn't designed to take away the officer's discretion," the lieutenant explained.
Because fireworks laws differ from one city to another, and in unincorporated areas of Snohomish County, Goldman reasoned that citizens may get confused.
"Maybe the council needs to look at a total ban on fireworks in order to resolve the problem," he suggested. "If it's completely black and white, there's no wiggle room."
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