Resident urges Newark to consider fireworks regulation after nearby explosion kills eight
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
A resident asked the council to consider regulating consumer fireworks after a recent explosion that killed eight people; she said local stores sell fireworks and unsafe use is escalating.
During the public-comment portion of the meeting, Michelle Bowen Smith told the council that an explosion involving fireworks killed eight people over the weekend and described widespread local sales and unsafe usage, including by children. She urged the city to consider regulations limiting where and how consumer fireworks are used.
"Some people have entire garages full of fireworks and they're now being used not just for Fourth of July but just about every holiday," Bowen Smith said, asking the council to consider a regulation to improve safety.
Council members thanked the speaker; the transcript does not show a formal referral or motion to begin a regulatory process on fireworks during this meeting.