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Police issue more fireworks tickets in 2008

By John Larson

Tacoma Weekly
jlarson@tacomaweekly.com
Published on: July 17, 2008

Police wrote more tickets for violating Tacoma’s fireworks ban this year compared to 2007 and they confiscated far more of the contraband. Tacoma Fire Department (TFD), which teamed up with Tacoma Police Department (TPD) on an extensive public relations campaign prior to the traditional fireworks season, feels such efforts are reducing injuries from fireworks.

Tacoma City Council’s Public Safety, Human Services and Education Committee heard an update during its July 10 meeting.

Bill Caldwell from TFD said the department responded to 961 calls between June 28 and July 5. Three fires in the city were attributed to fireworks.

The State Fire Marshall’s office will analyze information from hospital emergency rooms to determine the extent of injuries in the local area attributed to fireworks.

From the initial information, he believes such injuries have sharply declined in Tacoma. “Hopefully that trend continues,” he said

Caldwell reviewed TFD’s public relations efforts before Independence Day to deter Tacomans from using fireworks. “It is a lot of effort, but we think it is worth it.”

Police wrote at least 17 tickets. The number will likely be 20 and 30 once all paperwork from officers is logged. Last year 10 tickets were written. And TPD confiscated more than 500 pounds of fireworks during a nine-day emphasis period, compared to about 250 pounds last summer.

Last year TPD received 918 calls about fireworks violations. This year the number was down to 835.

Bob Sheehan, an assistant chief with TPD, said that overall he was impressed with how enforcement went. Noise from fireworks was reduced from past years, and it died down earlier in the evening.

“It was very successful. I hope it is even more so next year,” he told the committee.

The East Side continues to be the area with the most fireworks activity. It had the highest number of calls for service. There was “an unbelievable amount” of fireworks being lit in this section of the city when he observed the East Side, Sheehan said.

Councilmember Rick Talbert, who lives on the East Side, said he heard some fireworks, but less than in past years. “This was by far the quietest Fourth of July I can remember,” he said.

Talbert said the emphasis patrols and efforts to educate the public about the fireworks ban is working.

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