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Saint Charles County police: 10–12 fireworks complaints in Dardenne Prairie; no charges issued locally
Summary
Captain Chris Hunt told the board the county received '10 or 12' fireworks complaints in Dardenne Prairie, described officers' practice of warning first and citing repeat offenders, and said no fireworks charges were issued in Dardenne Prairie though countywide officers handled hundreds of calls over the holiday period.
Captain Chris Hunt of the Saint Charles County Police Department briefed the Dardenne Prairie Board of Aldermen on the 2025 fireworks season and local enforcement. “We received, I'd say, 10 or 12 complaints related to fireworks,” Hunt said, and noted the city’s fireworks window is limited to from 6 to 11 p.m.
Hunt described the department’s enforcement approach as discretionary: officers typically warn residents who violate the ordinance once and will issue a ticket on repeat contacts or when a complainant files a written statement and is willing to testify in court. “If we come back, you're getting a ticket, and we're gonna confiscate the fireworks,” he said. Hunt added that, in Dardenne Prairie, the department did not issue any charges for fireworks violations during the most recent season, though countywide officers responded to hundreds of calls.
He also described nuisance effects such as loud, more powerful fireworks that shake windows and debris falling into yards and pools. Hunt said officers sometimes cannot determine whether fireworks are commercial grade without a search or seizure and that pursuing felony charges for possession of commercial‑grade fireworks is more complex and may move the matter into state court.
During questions, Hunt said police activity resulted from both citizen complaints and proactive patrols: officers will stop to advise residents when they observe violations and will return if the behavior continues. He encouraged residents who want formal enforcement to document incidents and be willing to provide statements.
The county police report closed with a reminder that the department seeks voluntary compliance where possible, and that stricter enforcement typically follows repeat incidents.
