Fireworks banned in city limits

Written by Chase Jordan

Wednesday, 01 July 2009 07:00

The Spring Hill Police Department is encouraging citizens and visitors to have a safe holiday weekend without the use of fireworks.

Mitchell Hofmann, chief of police, said officers on duty will enforce laws that prohibit the use of fireworks in city limits. He said officers usually try to educate violators about the issue.

“If they don’t comply, we’ll probably cite them,” Hofmann said. “Most people stop and comply, but we have a few that like to push the issue.”

He said citizens should contact officials in Johnson and Miami Counties for laws in rural areas.

Hofmann said he does not remember a real significant problem of fireworks in Spring Hill.

“We like to give people the benefit of the doubt because they want to celebrate the Fourth of July, but it’s against the ordinance,” Hofmann said.

Hofmann has been with the department for 10 years and said that he has written one citation involving an M-80.

“It’s not a big ticket-generator,” he said. “Most people are compliant when they are told to stop.”

He said fireworks can be dangerous because they can’t be controlled. He said the department answers a lot of calls regarding fireworks during the holiday. He said most of the complaints involve animals that are startled by the loud noises.

Hofmann said drinking alcoholic beverages is also an issue.

“People do get a little careless about what they’re doing,” he said. “Alcohol impairs their judgement.”

A law about the discharge and selling of fireworks is available on the city’s Web site, www.springhillks.com. Click the “Government,” tab. On the next page click the heading titled “Municipal Codes.” On the “Municipal Code” page, the laws are available by clicking the Chapter 6 link titled “Fire Protection.”

Set as favorite

Bookmark

Email This

Trackback(0)

TrackBack URI for this entry