MARYSVILLE – The City Council on Monday passed a new ordinance that will restrict the lighting of fireworks in the city to two days.
Currently, city ordinances allow people to discharge fireworks 9 a.m.-11 p.m. July 1-4 and Dec. 27-31. The new law, which won’t take effect until June 2005, will limit fireworks to 9 a.m.-11 p.m. July 4 and 9 a.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 31.
“It’s difficult to enforce the law depending on what kind (the firework) is,” Marysville police Chief Bob Carden told the council.
The council’s Public Safety Committee reviewed the issue on May 27.
The committee thought it was a good idea to limit the window for fireworks to give police more control in their enforcement, Councilman John Soriano said.
All fireworks are illegal except during those specific times, Carden said. But fireworks are sold not only in the city but also on the Tulalip Indian Reservation, and illegal fireworks are brought into the city, he said.
“We’re just trying to come up with some ideas,” he said. “I don’t know if this is the best idea.”
The law is difficult to enforce in part because by the time police arrive in response to a report of illegal discharge of fireworks, the items already have been ignited or those setting them off have dispersed.
“It’s getting better, but people still don’t seem to be getting the idea it’s not a war zone,” Councilman Jeff Seibert said.
City officials are concerned not only about public safety but also the problem of cleaning up the residue from spent fireworks.
“That’s a major problem,” Carden said.
People set off fireworks on streets, sidewalks and other places, but often don’t pick up the debris that’s left behind, he said.
Louise Alexander-Way, a Marysville business owner, told the council she helped clean up five bags of fireworks debris on a local farm. While she likes fireworks, she’s concerned that not everyone exercises personal responsibility in using them. Fireworks can also kill or injure animals, she said.
The council voted unanimously, 6-0, to restrict the hours allowed for fireworks. Councilman Jon Nehring was absent from the meeting.
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