Residents urge stricter fireworks enforcement; committee discusses rising electric-bicycle hazards

Public commenters at the June 22 meeting urged the police department to increase enforcement of the city’s fireworks ordinance, citing pet safety and harms to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder when unscheduled fireworks create loud booms.

"We all know that fireworks in the city, for the most part, are illegal," a resident said during public comment, asking the police to be “a little bit more active” in enforcement. The police department representative encouraged residents to call the non-emergency line when fireworks are in progress and said callers can request confidentiality: "They do not have to provide their information... and they can also say... I don't want this information being public."

Committee members and residents also raised safety concerns about non-street-legal motorized vehicles and fast electric bicycles, describing near-misses with pedestrians and noting limited visibility for small, low-riding vehicles. The police department representative said state law currently offers limited guidance, and the city is working with the city attorney and training officers (led by Sgt. Hagen) to address enforcement challenges.

The committee discussed practical enforcement issues such as the need for witnesses or video evidence to establish responsibility and noted that, where appropriate, officers can confiscate fireworks or material. The conversation closed with members acknowledging the issue is emerging and that enforcement will continue through targeted assignments such as lakefront patrols.

The meeting adjourned following the discussion.