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Sergeant Paul Parizek: Fireworks allowed on private property July 3—6; parks and public spaces remain banned
Summary
Sergeant Paul Parizek of the Des Moines Police Department said consumer fireworks may be discharged on private property with the owner—s permission on July 3 (9 a.m.-10 p.m.) and July 4 (9 a.m.-11 p.m.), but fireworks are prohibited in parks and other public spaces; officers will patrol parks to enforce the ban.
Sergeant Paul Parizek of the Des Moines Police Department told residents the city allows consumer fireworks on private property only during narrow windows ahead of Independence Day and only with the property owner's permission.
"On July 3rd between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. and July 4th between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. it is lawful for you to detonate fireworks in the city as long as you're on private property and you have the permission of the private property's owner," Parizek said.
The announcement clarifies why residents can buy fireworks but often cannot use them inside the city: fireworks are not permitted on city streets, in other public places or in the Des Moines park system. "Fireworks simply are not permitted in our park system," Parizek said, citing repeated surface damage, fires in receptacles and significant debris left behind.
City officials said the damage forces temporary park closures for cleanup and repairs, which removes spaces intended for families. Parizek said enforcement will be a priority this year and that "police officers out in our park system along with park staff ... will be in direct communication providing a presence in our park system and monitoring that fireworks are not being lit off illegally."
Parizek pointed to the risks consumer fireworks pose in Des Moines' mature, closely spaced neighborhoods, saying the city regularly sees structure fires and other unintended incidents around the holiday that place added strain on firefighters and medics. "The fire on Leland Avenue started after the homeowner left fireworks in their garage," he said, describing a blaze that spread to a second garage before crews contained it.
He also asked residents to consider neighbors with post-traumatic stress disorder and pets, noting fireworks can be traumatic. "Try your best to be the best neighbor that you can be," Parizek said.
The department encouraged residents to attend professional-grade fireworks shows offered in the city rather than using consumer fireworks at home. "Don't put an additional burden on your firefighters and medics by using consumer fireworks," he said, adding that with the nation's 250th birthday celebrations the city expects heavier activity and asks everyone to "respect the law, respect your neighbors, follow the rules" so parks remain clean and available after the holiday.
Parizek closed the briefing with a holiday greeting to residents: "Happy Independence Day, Des Moines."
