Here’s how Bellingham plans to stop illegal July 4th fireworks in its neighborhoods
Independence Day 2020 was a free-for-all of firecrackers, bottle rockets and Roman candles across much of Bellingham, and the city promises it will see that it doesn’t happen again.
“My neighborhood sounded like a war zone!” said Jeanne Laverdier, who lives in the Roosevelt area.
“What was being detonated was not backyard fireworks but almost professional size. I love fireworks but last year it was totally out of control,” she told The Bellingham Herald in a Facebook message.
Professional pyrotechnics displays were canceled last year because of fears that large gatherings could worsen the COVID-19 pandemic.
That’s possibly why so many Bellingham residents turned to commercially available fireworks.
But even so-called “safe and sane” pyrotechnic devices are banned in the city of Bellingham, Mayor Seth Fleetwood said at the City Council meeting June 10.
“Everyone remembers last year, I think, which was unusual, lots of explosions happening seemingly everywhere,” Fleetwood said.
Consumer fireworks have been outlawed within city limits since 2014.
Outdoor signs and social media will be used this year to remind residents about the ban, Fleetwood said, and he promoted a professional display planned for the downtown waterfront on July 4.
And he promised police emphasis patrols to respond to complaints.
“We’re going to be a bit more proactive this year as it relates to our ban on fireworks,” Fleetwood said.
Police Deputy Chief Don Almer said fireworks violations carry fines of $250 to $1,000, but could include jail time.
“Some parts of the ordinance call for a gross misdemeanor (criminal citation, court date), so it is somewhat situationally dependent,” Almer told The Herald.
Fire Deputy Chief Ron Richard, the city’s fire marshal, said no fireworks-related injuries were reported in 2020.
But fireworks ignited a hedge and briefly threatened a house before the flames were doused, Richard said.
And some people enjoyed the wild displays, including Dain Michael of Bellingham.
“They were still everywhere and it was awesome,” Michael said in response to a social media post from The Herald.
This story was originally published June 22, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
