Fourth of July fireworks fun met with few issues

Hartley Police Chief Joe Hengeveld's job gets a little noisier each June and July.

As has been the case for the past three years, the local police department has kept busy over the past month responding to fireworks-related incidents. Hengeveld estimated only five or six complaints were called in this year, but he and other officers came across approximately two-dozen violations while out on patrol.

"That's roughly the same as last year," Hengeveld said. "It's pretty hard to find where people are shooting them from. When they see headlights, they tend to stop."

Hartley has one of the more strict fireworks ordinances in the area. Following pyrotechnics' legalization in 2017, the city council passed rules limiting use to July 3-4 only from 10 a.m-11 p.m. That significantly differs from state law, which allows the sale and usage of fireworks from June 1-July 8, and again from Dec. 10-Jan. 3. The Hartley City Council took advantage of a caveat in the law that allows local governments to restrict or ban the use of fireworks; however, prohibitive ordinances cannot be placed on their sale.

"We still get complaints that our ordinance isn't strict enough," Hengeveld said. "We got a call on the Fourth of July."

The council implemented the fireworks restrictions three years ago after receiving several complaints from residents. A fine structure was also implemented. Offenders first receive a warning, but citations escalate from $100 to $400 for the next three violations. A fourth offense and all subsequent citations are $500.

Hengeveld said no citations were issued this year.

"Most people were cooperative when we told them the rules," he said.