City officials are starting to spread the news that the sale, possession and discharge of fireworks are prohibited in Kent, except for permitted displays.
This marks the first year of a new city ban on fireworks. The former city code allowed fireworks to be discharged from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4 and the sale of fireworks from June 28 to July 4.
The City Council voted 5-0 last year to approve the ban. Council members Les Thomas and Dennis Higgins had excused absences from the meeting when the council voted. Thomas voted against the ban in a committee meeting. The council received numerous complaints about fireworks in neighborhoods and submitted an advisory measure to residents who voted to approve a ban.
“Our goal is to focus on communication of the new restrictions, education and compliance followed by active enforcement and confiscation of fireworks,” said Assistant Police Chief Derek Kammerzell at the council’s April 11 Public Safety Committee meeting.
Michelle Wilmot, city communications and public affairs manager, worked with the police and parks departments to come up with a plan to get the word out early about the ban. City staff also will work with the Kent School District and the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority to let residents know about the ban.
The outreach plan will include public service announcements by Police Chief Ken Thomas with information broadcast through TV21, social media, movie theaters at the Kent Station shopping center, Clear Channel ad boards, Fourth of July Splash promotional materials and the ShoWare Center and Kent Commons readerboards.
City staff will let people know about the ban at the Lake Meridian Neighborhood Council on May 7, the city’s neighborhood council leadership meeting on May 22, the Public Works Week event on May 25, the Relay for Life on June 2 and the International Festival on June 3.
Staff will post street signs at city limits and main intersections about the ban.
“We are optimistic that no sales in the city will have a positive impact without stands all over the city,” Kammerzell said about the potential for fewer fireworks used by people. “But they can get fireworks at the (Muckleshoot) reservation and outside of the city. If anyone thinks no fireworks will go off, that will not be the case and it’s tough to be at every spot (for enforcement) and we have to see the violation.”
State law allows fireworks sales and use on certain hours between June 28 and July 5. But cities can adopt more restrictive laws.
The new ordinance does not apply to the city’s Fourth of July Splash fireworks display at Lake Meridian or any other permitted display operated by a state-licensed pyrotechnician. The city fire marshal issues fireworks display permits.
Violators of the ban will have to pay a $250 fine. The punishment for the discharge of fireworks in a reckless manner, a gross misdemeanor, is up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine. The new ordinance makes other violations a gross misdemeanor, including conducting a display of fireworks without a properly issued city permit. The council also made it an infraction for property owners who knowingly allow fireworks on their property.
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