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Safety committee finds fireworks violations, council expands public outreach ahead of July 4 period
Summary
A safety-committee investigation substantiated fireworks complaints and recommended staff education and public advisories; council amended the report to require multi-outlet outreach (Facebook, radio, newspaper, website) and approved the amended report.
The Greenville safety committee reported to the city council that an investigation into neighborhood fireworks complaints found activity that did not comply with state fireworks restrictions. The committee's written report, signed by Chairman Leon Rogers and Vice Chairman Clarence Godwin, summarized that police and fire personnel will be educated on the applicable restrictions and that the city should post reminders to the public about legal limits on fireworks.
The committee review cited state rules that require 150-foot clearances for aerial devices and 50-foot clearances for non-aerial devices, and it said Lieutenant Mon's investigation substantiated the allegations raised to council. The committee recommended that staff meet with complaining citizens when practical and that the city post advisories on its Facebook page.
Council members said Facebook alone might not reach everyone and moved to amend the committee report to require broader outreach. Councilmember White moved the amendment to include multiple media outlets; the amendment (to add radio, local newspapers, the city website and other outlets) passed on a roll-call vote. Council then adopted the amended committee report.
What the committee asked staff to do: educate police and fire personnel about legal fireworks restrictions; place a public advisory on the city's channels; and for Lieutenant Mon and Councilmember White to follow up directly with the resident who filed the complaint to explain results of the investigation.
Next steps: Staff will prepare the multi-outlet outreach message and coordinate the post ahead of the July 6 city fireworks display at the fairgrounds.
