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Resident complains about late-night fireworks; city cites state law and sheriff enforcement
Summary
A Rochester Hills resident complained to City Council on Oct. 6 about late-night fireworks on Sept. 20; city officials said enforcement follows the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act and is handled by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department.
A Rochester Hills resident raised concerns at the Oct. 6 council meeting about late-night fireworks on Sept. 20 and asked how the city enforces its fireworks policy.
Carlene Grifka told council she called 911 when “large fireworks [were] going off” near her neighborhood on Sept. 20 and said the operator told her there was a display nearby. “If a permit was issued for the fireworks display on September 20, there needs to be an investigation and accountability is needed,” she said, adding that fireworks that late into the night were distressing to neighbors and pets.
City response: state law and local enforcement
President Diehl and Mayor Barnett responded that the city’s ordinance mirrors state law. The mayor explained that the Michigan statute sets the allowable days and times for consumer fireworks and that local ordinances cannot be more restrictive than the state law. He said enforcement is handled by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department and encouraged residents to report incidents to the sheriff’s substation.
The city attorney, Patrick Crist, confirmed the city follows the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act. He noted that enforcement follows the statute’s dates and that the ordinance conforms to state law; council did not propose a local ordinance change at the meeting. When asked about penalties, the attorney said the statute provides for a heightened fine and council members referenced a $1,000 maximum fine in the statute.
Mayor Barnett acknowledged the frustration callers experience when complaints arrive late in the evening and enforcement resources are constrained: calls are prioritized and officers may arrive after a short incident has ended. He encouraged residents to submit reports to the sheriff’s department so officers can investigate and enforce permits and cited cases where citations can be issued if fireworks are used outside permitted times or without required permits.
Ending
No change to city ordinance was proposed at the meeting. City leaders advised residents with concerns to report incidents to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department and the city will look into any individual permit questions if more information is provided.
