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Greensburg council discusses revising fireworks ordinance to reflect local practice
Summary
Council members discussed changing Section 7-308 of the municipal code to allow limited, responsible fireworks discharge on city streets, while retaining park and alley prohibitions. Police Chief Dennis Davis recommended removing the word "streets" from the prohibition; staff will prepare a redline ordinance for a future meeting.
The Greensburg City Council discussed whether the current fireworks ordinance (Section 7-308) aligns with actual practice and public expectations. Administrator Stacy Barnes said the ordinance bans discharge on streets, alleys, avenues and public places and prohibits fireworks with a discharge over 10 feet, but that the law has not always been enforced as written.
Police Chief Dennis Davis recommended removing the word "streets" from the prohibition so enforcement would continue to bar fireworks in parks and alleys but not criminalize some street use that residents have practiced. Councilmembers raised safety and cleanup concerns, including fireworks being set off in dry yard grass, being discharged under power lines and litter from debris blowing into neighbors' yards. Councilmember Mark Trummel said he had observed debris left in an elderly neighbor's yard after celebrations.
Council also noted that Section 7-307 requires a large bond for public displays and that state law may cover some aspects of fireworks regulation; members asked staff to check how old the ordinance is (Barnes said it likely predates 2007) and to draft a redline revision for future consideration.
No ordinance changes were adopted at the meeting; staff was directed to prepare language and research statutory overlap for a future agenda item.
