(Spirit Lake)–
“We tried it, it didn’t work, and I would be willing to say we need to do something different.”
That’s Spirit Lake City Councilman Kevin Bice commenting during a discussion on fireworks during last (Tues.) evening’s city council meeting.
The city’s ordinance limits the usage of fireworks in the city between 11:00 am and 10:00 pm July 3rd and 4th on private property only. Police received numerous complaints in 2019 and again this past Fourth of July regarding people not abiding by the ordinance. Councilman Keith Brockmeyer expressed his frustration over that…
“People are shooting them off on public or private property and, you know, I mean nobody follows the ordinance to the letter and it just opened a pandora’s box for fireworks all through the month of July, you know. It’s not just the two nights. And Chief Hanson and the police force doesn’t have the where with all to police all of that.”
Police Chief Jeff Hanson suggested the council look into one possibility in the event it’s decided not to ban the discharge of fireworks altogether in the city…
“If it’s possible to attach it to like the homeowner or the resident if they’re allowing them or if they’re being shot off from that area other than getting one particular person, you know. And I’m not sure if that’s possible or not.”
The council directed City Attorney/Administrator Gregg Owens to research the matter and report back at the next council meeting.
