Sheriff praises Pleasant Valley Days response, urges local action on fireworks and communications

Sheriff Jeff Wood told the Scofield Town Council on July 14 that the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office considered the Pleasant Valley Days event a success from a law‑enforcement perspective and that deputies committed substantial resources during the July 4–6 celebration.

"Your Pleasant Valley Days event was a success from our eyes," Wood said, describing deputies’ work on patrol, traffic control, campground checks, and responses to medical and fireworks complaints. He said deputies worked multiple 10‑hour shifts during the event and that the sheriff’s office issued several citations, including for drug paraphernalia and traffic violations.

Wood read language from the current state fire restriction order, noting it prohibits "discharging or using fireworks, tracer ammunition, or other pyrotechnic devices" in the listed areas until rescinded. He also clarified that the order applies to state and unincorporated private lands and does not automatically restrict private activity inside incorporated town limits, giving Scofield the option to adopt its own ordinance.

The sheriff raised two operational concerns. First, he warned volunteer search‑and‑rescue capacity is shrinking: veteran volunteers are retiring and staffing the fireworks‑handling operation that serves the island display is becoming harder to sustain. "There could come a day when there's no one to haul fireworks out to the island," Wood said, urging early planning and volunteer recruitment.

Second, he highlighted communications gaps in the town and at the dam that make dispatch and on‑scene coordination difficult. Residents suggested portable Starlink terminals as an interim measure; Wood acknowledged the county has used Starlink resources in other responses and offered to explore connectivity options with the council.

On fireworks policy, Wood told the council it can adopt local ordinances to ban or restrict fireworks within town limits, designate a paved area as a controlled fireworks zone, or contract for municipal policing. He advised the town to consult its attorney and coordinate with the fire chief and county law enforcement when drafting any local rule.

Wood also summarized last year’s dance incident: deputies investigated, detectives reviewed video and statements, and the county attorney reviewed the matter and declined prosecution. "The county attorney has said nothing worth taking to court here," he said, urging residents to resolve lingering disputes privately with law enforcement mediation if desired.

The sheriff closed by commending Scofield organizers and volunteers and offering the sheriff’s office help in planning future events. The council did not take immediate formal action on fireworks regulation during the meeting; members discussed following up with the fire chief and the town attorney.