As the Fourth of July approaches, residents in the City of Sequim have one more year to wait before a ban on discharging fireworks begins within the city limits.
A majority of city residents, 2,642 to be exact, or 65.6 percent of voters, favored a ban in an advisory vote in last year’s general election.
Sequim city councilors, who instigated the advisory vote for more public feedback last summer, voted unanimously on Nov. 28, 2016, to prohibit discharging consumer fireworks starting July 2018.
Residents in the city and Clallam County residents can shoot legal, consumer fireworks this year from noon-11 p.m. June 28, 9 a.m.-11 p.m. June 29-July 3, 9 a.m.-midnight July 4 and 9 a.m.-11 p.m. July 5.
Chief Criminal Deputy Brian King with Clallam County Sheriff’s Office said deputies will be patrolling to enforce fireworks laws and “field many complaints and make every effort to respond to them.”
The sheriff’s marine unit also will patrol Lake Sutherland on the Fourth of July enforcing boating laws, under-age drinking and fireworks violations, he said.
Sequim Police Chief Sheri Crain said enforcing fireworks laws is difficult.
“You try to get as much voluntary compliance,” she said.
“A guilty a look on someone’s face doesn’t translate to you’re the one shot the fireworks off.”
Last Fourth of July weekend, the Sequim Police Department received 12 calls and 25 in 2015, nine in 2014 and 12 in 2013.
Crain said residents call either because it’s annoying or so loud they assume neighbors are shooting illegal fireworks.
For next year’s fireworks ban within the city limits, Dan Orr, Clallam County Fire District 3 assistant fire chief, said he plans to print large maps for all the fireworks booth in the district.
Sequim city staff and partner agencies like the fire department plan to educate the community significantly in the next year, too, Crain said.
Whether or not fireworks complaint calls will go down following the city ban, Crain said she’s not sure what to expect.
PA to Sequim
The City of Sequim’s ban follows the City of Port Angeles, which enters its second summer with no consumer fireworks allowed to be shot within the city limits.
Ed Schilke, records supervisor for the Port Angeles Police Department, said calls for fireworks violations were down last summer from 2015 but up from 2013 and 2014.
From June 1-July 31, the PenCom 9-1-1 service received the following calls:
• 2013: 43 fireworks, 3 explosions
• 2014: 37 fireworks, 2 explosions
• 2015: 104 fireworks, no explosions
• 2016: 57 fireworks, 2 explosions
Schilke said it’s likely citizens were more aware of the ban, which could have led to an increase in calls even when the amount of illegal instances may have dropped.
“Observations from officers on the street were that the ban did create a positive difference,” he said.
“We’re hoping in a few years the fireworks calls will really fall off as people get used to the idea that they are outlawed everywhere within the city limits,” said Cpl. David Dombrowski with the Port Angeles Police Department.
Stands and displays
While consumer fireworks won’t be allowed within the city limits, sales of legal fireworks will be permitted at up to four licensed retailer booths in designated areas, typically run by nonprofits.
City councilors previously said they didn’t want to limit fundraising means for fireworks sellers like church groups.
A public display, similar to the fireworks show at the Sequim Irrigation Festival’s Logging Show, could be a possibility in the future, too.
The updated fireworks ordinance allows for a public display and city staff investigated costs with Sequim City Attorney Kristina Nelson-Gross saying last year it would cost about $25,000 for a 20-minute show.
Joe Irvin, Sequim assistant city manager, said city councilors and staff will discuss a public fireworks display for the 2018 budget but no additional discussion as to where it could take place or how long the show could be has taken place either.
Tips for the Fourth
Local agencies recommend the following for fireworks safety:
• A responsible adult should supervise all firework activities.
• Do not consume alcohol while igniting fireworks.
• Use fireworks outdoors in a clean area away from buildings and vehicles.
• Never relight a “dud” firework.
• Keep a bucket of water and a water hose nearby.
• Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and placing them in a metal trash can away from combustibles.
• Take care of pets and put them in a safe environment.
Residents found shooting illegal fireworks such as firecrackers and bottle rockets, and explosives such as M-80s, could face a gross misdemeanor fine up to $5,000 or up to 364 days in jail. A resident also may be held responsible if damages are made to property/residences.
For more information on the City of Sequim’s fireworks 2018 ban, call the Sequim Police Department at 683-7227.
Staff with the City of Sequim said they plan to discuss the possibility of funding a public fireworks display as the 2018 city’s budget is prepared for proposal to Sequim city councilors in the fall. Sequim Gazette file photo by Michael Dashiell
Even though Sequim City Councilors approved a ban for residents to discharge fireworks in the City of Sequim last November, the change won’t take effect until 2018. This year, residents can still shoot consumer fireworks in the city from June 28-July 5. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
