Fireworks Ordinance In Warren May Put Kibosh On July 4th Celebrations
WARREN (WWJ) - The city of Warren is the latest Metro Detroit community to consider cracking down on those things that go "boom" in the night.
Mayor Jim Fouts says the law that was passed earlier this year by state lawmakers legalizing the sale of previously banned bigger fireworks is unsafe.
His solution is an ordinance that would prohibit anyone from shooting off consumer fireworks within 200 feet of a residential area. It would also ban the lighting of fireworks between 10:30 p.m. and 11 a.m.
Warren City Council is expect to pass the ordinance Tuesday evening.
"I'm getting a tremendous amount of calls from residents who are already upset because they're starting earlier, they're louder and they're longer, and people are complaining about their kids can't get to sleep at night, their dogs are shook up and they in general, can't have peace and tranquility in their home," said Fouts.
Fouts said if the ordinance is passed, it would take effect this Friday. Anyone who does not follow the ordinance can get fined or jail time.
"The police are going to have to be on board so I'm going to have to pay more money for overtime for police and fire when this city and other cities are already strapped for money. That's fundamentally unfair, but the Michigan legislature will not give us a penny to reimburse us for the fact that we have to enforce, we have to protect the public safety," said Fouts.
Listen to Mayor Fouts' complete interview:
Warren To Put A Cap On Fireworks
Bottle rockets, aerial cakes, Roman candles, firecrackers all can be sold and enjoyed legally after lawmakers and Gov. Rick Snyder erased the ban. Under the new law, local governments may not prohibit the sale of fireworks, but they may restrict their use -- except during 10 national holidays and the day before and after each.
Several local governments in the state have already enacted some firework restrictions.
In some communities – like West Bloomfield, Royal Oak, Utica and Grand Rapids – the overall use of fireworks is banned, except for the day before, the day of and the day after a federal holiday.
Other communities — like Sterling Heights and Rockford — have imposed slightly loser restrictions, only prohibiting the use of fireworks between certain overnight hours.
MORE: Communities Move To Silence Bigger Fireworks
Fireworks Safety Urged In Local Communities
