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Residents urge limits on extended fireworks after late-night displays; police to review enforcement
Summary
Multiple residents told the council they observed large fireworks late at night the day after July 4, cited safety risks and inconsistent responses from officers and dispatch; the chief of police said he will provide ordinance and state-law guidance and review enforcement actions.
Residents at the Village of West Jefferson council meeting raised safety and enforcement concerns after large fireworks displays extended into late hours the night before and after July 4.
A resident who gave a council address and listed their street (4041 Fellows Avenue) said the village calendar was inconsistent, causing confusion over where an event was held, and complained that fireworks were allowed the evening before and after July 4. "So that was I didn't know that last year ... Just keep it on the night of the 4th and we would go," the resident said.
Paula Bollinger, who identified herself at the meeting, said she has lived in her house more than 30 years and that on the night in question she saw large display-style fireworks near her property. "These were the granddaddy. This was not backyard fire," Bollinger said, adding that no fire trucks appeared and that she saw children at night near unsafe fences. She also described hearing an officer tell people on scene that he "had no problem with what was going on," which she reported as disturbing given the proximity to homes and dry conditions.
Dwayne Bircher said debris landed on his deck around 10:30 p.m. and that, while private-property displays may be permitted with a village permit, the proximity to a park and large groups of children made the incident worrying. "I had a lot of debris from the fireworks that they were shooting off on my deck, 10:30 at night," Bircher said. He asked the council to enforce permit requirements and to review how officers responded.
Chief Brandon said he would gather the local ordinance language and the relevant state law and provide that information to the inquirer, and he said the department has done social-media outreach about recent changes. "I'll make sure you have the information," Chief Brandon said. Council members said they would look at video and other evidence and follow up.
Council members also reported that calls to the nonemergency dispatch line yielded conflicting guidance in at least one instance, and one council member described having to call last year as well. The chief and staff committed to reviewing the complaints, enforcement response and communications so residents can have clearer guidance in future fireworks seasons.
Next steps: the chief will provide the applicable ordinance and state-law information and staff will review any footage or records of the incident to determine whether enforcement action or communications changes are needed.
