Kent Police plan emphasis fireworks patrols

Kent Police will use special emphasis patrols to crack down on illegal fireworks between July 1-5.

“Our mission is to provide teams of officers during that Fourth of July holiday period to enforce the city ordinance by citing for and confiscating illegal fireworks in order to enhance public safety,” said Derek Kammerzell, assistant police chief, during a June 21 presentation to the City Council.

City code allows people to purchase and possess legal fireworks from June 28 to July 4, but fireworks can only be discharged from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4. Kent’s newly adopted ban on sale, possession and use of all fireworks begins in 2017.

On July 4, people can use legal fireworks such as sparklers, smokers, ground spinners, aerials that explode on the ground and go up in the air and other products purchased at fireworks stands around town from June 28 through July 4. Kammerzell said many people think those type of aerials are illegal but they are legal.

The illegal items include firecrackers, M80s, bottle rockets, tennis ball bombs, pipe bombs and other items, many of which can be purchased at Indian reservations.

“Legal fireworks are found in tents in the city, not ones bought on the reservations,” Kammerzell said.

Officers can issue citations for a $250 fine or more serious offenses if someone uses fireworks in a reckless manner or possesses illegal fireworks such as pipe bombs.

Here’s the breakdown of the fireworks emphasis teams:

• Friday, July 1: Five teams, 14 officers

• Saturday, July 2: Three teams, five officers

• Sunday, July 3: Two teams, four officers

• Monday, July 4: Five teams, 10 officers

• Tuesday, July 5: One team, two officers

In addition to the emphasis teams, regular patrols, including traffic units and special operations will help if there are more fireworks calls than the teams can handle.

At the city’s Fourth of July Splash celebration on Monday at Lake Meridian Park, officers will work the event from 10 a.m. to midnight. Those patrols will include six bicycle and boat officers plus a sergeant; six traffic officers plus a sergeant; two patrol officers on foot starting in mid-afternoon; and four crosswalk officers.

Residents are encouraged to call 911 if they see illegal firework use or possession and include information about the location as well as the people and vehicles that might be involved.

Police will reveal plans at a later day for enforcement next year when all fireworks are illegal in the city, except for permitted displays such as the show at Lake Meridian.

“As we get closer to next year, we will put on a big push,” Chief Ken Thomas said to the council.