Get ready to sport some red white and blue because Fourth of July is just around the corner. But don’t get “cracking” too soon. All fireworks are banned within Renton city limits.
This year, the cooperation between Renton Police Department and Renton Regional Fire Authority to combat fireworks will be “unparalleled” according to Fire Chief Rick Marshall.
Police Chief Kevin Milosevich and Marshall updated Renton City Council on June 19 on this year’s enforcement plan.
The departments are teaming up so they are able to cover efficiently enforce the ban within city limits. Apart from responding to routine calls and helping out at the Fourth of July program at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, there will be five fire vehicles with fire and police personnel dedicated to enforcing the ban.
If someone is caught with fireworks, they will be first asked to surrender the items. If they refuse, they will be cited and officers will then confiscate the fireworks.
This year RRFA will have an increased capacity to store confiscated fireworks. Marshall said last year the fire department had to stop collecting confiscated items in the middle of the night due to lack of storage space. This year they have prepared enough storage capacity to confiscate items throughout the evening.
The police department will be at full capacity as this is the one day of the year officers aren’t allowed to take the day off.
Despite the ban and the expanded efforts of the fire and police departments, both Milosevich and Marshall said it is unrealistic to expect the departments to control all incidents.
“When a call comes in about a fireworks complaint, by the time we are able to get a unit out to that location, the event has gone off and people have gone back to their house or their backyard areas where we can’t get to cite or to confiscate,” said Marshall.
Milosevich said there isn’t much the police department can do if a reported incident happens within a fenced area. Officers will have to see someone lighting or igniting fireworks to cite them. Similarly, officers cannot cite for possession unless they see someone holding a firework. Standing around watching ignited fireworks does not warrant a citation.
“This year we have the largest amount of coordinated effort between police and fire out there,” said Milosevich. “We’re hoping to have an impact. But at the same time, it’s the Fourth of July and we still anticipate responding to hundreds of calls of service”
“This is a very frustrating day for us at the fire department,” said Marshall. “We would like to be able to do more than we’re able to do. It’s important we do set expectations for everyone that with our resources — while we will be doing a better job this year and I’m confident on July 5 we’ll be able to speak to much greater results — that we’re not going to get to everybody. That’s just the plain truth.”
The voter-approved fireworks ban took effect in May 2005. The ban prohibits the personal discharge of fireworks year round and violators can be fined anywhere between $100 to $500. Sale, possession and use of explosive devices such as M-80s, M-100s, and homemade or modified fireworks are a felony offense, and violators can face criminal prosecution.
Unincorporated King County
With the ban only in effect within Renton City limits, fireworks can be purchased in the unincorporated areas, including Fairwood and Skyway. However purchase, possession and ignition of fireworks can only be done within unincorporated King County.
Fireworks may be discharged from 9 a.m. to midnight on July 4. Sales start at 11 p.m. on June 28, and can go on daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. until July 4. No sales can be made after July 4. You must be 16 years or older with a picture I.D. to purchase fireworks.
