Dearborn enforcing zero tolerance policy regarding illegal fireworks use and sale

As Independence Day approaches, Dearborn residents and businesses should be aware that the City of Dearborn’s public safety agencies will be enforcing a zero tolerance policy regarding the sale and use of illegal, unsafe fireworks.

City officials want to prevent the injury and property damage that can occur when illegal, unsafe fireworks are used, particularly in neighborhoods. Dearborn ordinance prohibits the sale and use or illegal fireworks, and even unsafe use of legal fireworks.

The public is strongly encouraged to avoid the use of personal fireworks and to instead attend a professionally-produced fireworks display like the ones offered at Greenfield Village, Dearborn’s Beach Bash or at Dearborn’s Homecoming festival.

Police officers will respond to fireworks complaints. Adults found to be violating the city’s fireworks ordinances will be ticketed. Parents whose minor children are found to be violating fireworks ordinance may also be ticketed under the city’s parental responsibility ordinance.

Both cases are misdemeanor offenses, carrying a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and/or a $500 fine. In all cases, illegal fireworks will be confiscated.

To report fireworks in your neighborhood, call the Police Department at 943- 2201.

Under the zero tolerance policy of Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr., officers will not issue warnings for fireworks use.

Dearborn’s Fire Marshal Jeff Oldenburg urges parents to offer children safe alternatives to fireworks, such as squirt guns or flashlights.

Police officers will be conducting extra patrols in neighborhoods to discourage illegal fireworks use and deal with fireworks complaints.

Community police officers and the Fire Marshal’s Office will be visiting retail stores throughout Dearborn, to distribute flyers with information about what fireworks are considered legal and illegal. The officers will be doing business checks to ensure that illegal fireworks are not being sold.

Consistent with the zero tolerance policy, citations will be issued to vendors who are selling illegal fireworks. Illegal fireworks will be confiscated. Business owners are reminded that it is their responsibility to verify that the fireworks they are selling are legal.

“Merchants often buy fireworks out of state and then face a costly loss when those fireworks – which are illegal in Michigan – are confiscated,” said Oldenburg.

Only certain types of fireworks – sparklers, toy snakes, smoke bombs, fountains, flitter sparkers and flat paper caps – can be sold in Dearborn.

To report illegal fireworks sales, call the Community Policing Office at 943-2800.
Many common fireworks are illegal in the state of Michigan and Dearborn. If a novelty device makes a loud bang, leaves the ground or spins or twirls, it is illegal.

Examples of illegal fireworks are firecrackers, cherry bombs, torpedoes, skyrockets, Roman candles, bottle rockets, whistling chasers and rockets on sticks. Others are devices like M-80s; Silver Salutes (M-100s); M-250s; M-1000s; and torches, which are 6.5-inch tubes filled with color composition that end in a handle.

For more information about fireworks use in Dearborn, call the Fire Department at 943-2277.

Residents are reminded that fireworks displays will conclude each night of Greenfield Village’s 16th annual “Salute to America” concerts taking place from July 2-5. A fireworks display will also be part of the Camp Dearborn Beach Bash, taking place from 6-10:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 28.

Fireworks displays will also conclude the Saturday and Sunday evenings of Homecoming, which takes place August 1-3. The fireworks displays will take place on the evenings of August 2 and 3.