This Fourth of July will be the first in Sequim city limits without fireworks crackling and lighting up the Blue Hole.
Sequim citizens voted 65.6 percent (2,642) in favor of an advisory vote in November 2016 asking the Sequim City Council to ban the discharge of all commercial fireworks. City Councilors followed the vote and unanimously passed an ordinance going into effect this summer.
Last Fourth of July was the last time residents could discharge residential fireworks in city limits but calls for service were on-par with years prior, the Sequim Police Department reports.
From June 30-July 5, 2017, there were 10 calls for firework violations with four of those on July 4.
Some or all of those violations likely weren’t in city limits either, Sequim Police Chief Sheri Crain said.
“Calls for service are typically noises coming from the county,” Crain said. “Loud noises sound close but they likely aren’t.”
Sequim now joins the cities of Port Angeles and Port Townsend to not allow the discharge of consumer fireworks.
Residents in unincorporated Clallam County can shoot legal, consumer fireworks 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.
However, Clallam County Commissioners continue to consider an ordinance that could ban consumer fireworks across the county, too. The Peninsula Daily News reports the ordinance would allow for private fireworks displays from a state licensed pyrotechnician.
A hearing on the ordinance is set for 6 p.m. July 17 in room 160 at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.
In Sequim, fireworks booths go up in city limits from June 28-July 5, when up to four licensed retailers can set up booths in designated areas.
When city councilors first discussed an ordinance in the summer of 2016, some didn’t want to negatively impact nonprofits who operate fireworks booths for various causes.
This year, two nonprofits — Sequim Worship Center by JCPenney, and Sequim Vineyard by Sequim Walmart — hold approved permits.
The ordinance allows for a public display of fireworks but city councilors opted not to pursue a public fireworks display last July. City staff estimated it’d cost $15,000-$30,000. City Councilors also removed a $20,000 Fourth of July celebration without fireworks during budget discussions last fall due to costs, as well.
Recommended events
City staff recommends multiple Independence Day celebrations on Wednesday, July 4:
• Sequim: 3 p.m. Sequim City Band Concert at the James Center for the Performing Arts at Carrie Blake Community Park.
• Port Angeles: noon-11 p.m. – Concerts at City Pier; 6 p.m. – Downtown Parade; 10 p.m. fireworks over the water
• Port Townsend: 4-10 p.m. Old School Fourth of July with fireworks at dusk at Fort Worden
• Forks: noon, Grand Parade starting at Forks Outfitters; 1-4 p.m. – Salmon Bake at Tillicum Park; 3 p.m. Demolition Derby at Tillicum Park Arena; Dusk, Fireworks at Tillicum Park
Education, enforcement
Crain said if police officers find someone in violation with fireworks, they plan to use incidents as teaching moments.
“Days leading up to the Fourth, our folks will be doing a lot of education,” Crain said.
“If we really feel a situation is egregious enough, we have the right to ticket an observable evidence and actions.”
Sgt. Dave Campbell reaffirmed this saying “as always, voluntary compliance is best for our community and visitors.”
Sequim Police Department’s enforcement options for firework violations, include, verbal warnings, seizure of fireworks, referral of criminal charges and/or a physical arrest, he said.
Under the city’s Municipal Code, residents found illegally shooting fireworks could face a gross misdemeanor fine up to $5,000 or up to 364 days in jail.
Campbell said Sequim hasn’t adopted a civil infraction for fireworks violations.
Police officers plan to do additional outreach with fireworks vendors to remind customers about the ban in city limits, Crain said.
For more information about the ban, call the City of Sequim at 360-683-4139 or the Sequim Police Department at 360-683-7227.
Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.
