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Jonesboro committee discusses limited fireworks allowance and awaits guidance on loitering enforcement
Summary
Committee members agreed to research limited, time‑bound fireworks allowances to reduce 911 calls and asked police and the city attorney to prepare draft language; the committee also discussed the attorney general's statement on loitering and solicitation and is awaiting guidance from the Arkansas Municipal League.
The City of Jonesboro Public Safety Committee discussed two enforcement topics under other business: whether to amend the city’s fireworks ordinance to permit limited, time-bound use inside city limits, and recent attorney general commentary on enforcement options for panhandling/loitering at intersections.
On fireworks, committee members said the current ordinance prohibits fireworks inside city limits except by permit, which police find difficult to enforce on high-volume days such as July 4. The mayor (Mayor Copenhaver) requested the committee revisit the ordinance. Police asked the committee to consider allowing fireworks during a short, specified window (for example, the day of July 4 or a one-day period around July 4), establishing hours during which fireworks would be allowed and carving out restricted zones such as downtown commercial areas and locations near nursing homes. The police chief suggested the committee try a limited, time-bound change and evaluate its effect; the chief also said a burn ban would supersede any fireworks allowance. The committee directed the police chief and Chief Hamrick to assemble bullet points and sample ordinance language for discussion at a future meeting.
Separately, the committee discussed recent statements from the Arkansas attorney general regarding enforcement against people soliciting at intersections. The city attorney (referred to as counselor in the meeting) said the AG’s remarks do not, in their view, change the underlying law that the city can enforce parts of loitering statutes and other offenses, but that effective enforcement often requires an identified complainant and evidence (for example, affidavits) and can be case-by-case. The attorney said the committee is awaiting guidance from the Arkansas Municipal League (AML) on whether cities can adopt more-effective tailored ordinances. No ordinance changes were adopted at the meeting; staff and police will draft potential fireworks language and watch for AML guidance on loitering enforcement.
