Police and fire officials told the Police Committee on Oct. 7 that they do not recommend a local ban on fireworks and instead urged stronger education and coordination with the fire department and local media.

“It is a misdemeanor crime to be in possession of illegal fireworks in Oregon,” the police chief said during the discussion, summarizing the state’s prohibition on aerial fireworks. “I definitely wouldn’t be in support of a firework ban,” the chief added, citing limited staff and dispatch resources around July 4 enforcement.

Committee members and staff said the city has not had a recorded house or brush fire linked to fireworks in the last 20 years but does receive increased calls for service around the July 4 holiday. The chief noted two distinct complaint types: noise complaints affecting pets and nuisance, and fire-risk complaints tied to aerial fireworks that leave the ground.

Because illegal aerial fireworks are already prohibited by state law, the chief and others said a city ordinance would likely have limited effect on people intent on violating the law and would strain local enforcement. The meeting group therefore favored an information campaign that would give residents examples of when to call dispatch, explain the state prohibition and suggest safer alternatives.

The committee discussed practical outreach proposals: working with Brad at the Columbus News on pre-holiday messaging, producing testimonials from residents (one idea was Councilor Diane Crocker pictured with her dogs and an explanation of coping strategies), and involving the fire department in public messaging about risks when fireworks leave the ground. Dan Eddy or another fire-department representative was suggested as a presenter of fire-safety consequences.

A related operational idea discussed was consolidating celebrations. A local nonprofit currently stages a large fireworks display the week after the Fourth; staff said organizers are considering moving that show to July 4 to offer a single community event. That shift, staff said, could reduce the number of private displays if residents attend the organized show instead.

Why it matters: Committee members said education and a single, professionally managed display would reduce noise and fire risk without creating unrealistic enforcement expectations. They also raised animal- and neighbor-sensitivity concerns about fireworks being set off on days before or after the holidays, not just on July 4 and New Year’s.

Ending: The committee gave staff and the chief direction to coordinate an education campaign with the fire department and local media; there was no vote to adopt a local fireworks ban.