Community Corner

St. Clair Shores Passes Amended Fireworks Ordinance

City Council voted to limit fireworks to 10 holidays, along with the day before and after, to match state law.

City Council passed an amended fireworks ordinance Monday which limited the ignition, discharge and use of consumer fireworks except for the day of, before and after a national holiday.

The move comes after the went into effect at the beginning of the year, repealing former sections of the Michigan Penal Code regarding fireworks and setting new regulations for their purchase, sale and use.

What local governments can do, however, is regulate the ignition, discharge and use of consumer-grade fireworks, which include firecrackers, bottle rockets and roman candles.

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“People are pretty passionate and upset over this issue,” said Mayor Kip Walby, who stated that he has received more correspondence on this issue than any other item as an elected official. “I haven’t had anything like this.”

St. Clair Shores joined other cities including, , and passed similar ordinances.

Find out what's happening in St. Clair Shoreswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The new ordinance, also established general restrictions on the use of the fireworks including:

  • Not allowing the ignition of fireworks within 20 feet of an open flame;
  • Restriction of excessive use of fireworks for more than 20 minutes;
  • No ignition, launch or discharge of fireworks with 50 feet of a residential building or vehicle;
  • Fireworks can not be discharged from public property including schools, streets and medians.

Councilwoman Candice Rusie, who stated she thought that the state legislation was a “bad law” which was “hastily passed,” disagreed with the 20-minute usage part of the law.

“I think it is arbitrary and vague,” she said.

While the state law was written to allow the ignition of fireworks during the three-day period, St. Clair Shores also has current laws to which can be used if the fireworks become a nuisance including:

  • Disturbing the pulbic peace;
  • Trespassing, which could include spent fireworks landing on a resident’s property;
  • Nuisance.

Deputy Police Chief Glenn Bowlin said last year the department received 26 calls for service last year on the Fourth of July, and expects to have “double or triple” the number of calls this year.

He added that extra officers will be called in on overtime to enforced the city ordinances over the holiday.

Councilwoman Candice Rusie, who stated she thought that the state legislation was a “bad law” which was “hastily passed,” disagreed with the 20-minute usage part of the law.

“I think it is arbitrary and vague,” she said.

Other members of council described how they were personally affected by the fireworks usage in their neighborhood including Anthony Tiseo, who had a firework land in driver’s seat of his car. It did not cause any damage.

Chris Vitale, said a firework recently exploded near his dry grass, which he was concerned about the embers igniting his lawn. He also stated that his dog jumped through a screen and was hiding under a car due to the fireworks.

“You have a right to freedom of expression,” said Vitale, who also had to pickup numerous spent fireworks from his lawn. “They end when I have to clean up your mess. “

Resident Joseph Backus was the lone person to speak against the amended ordinance, and saw it a restriction of “freedom of expression.”

The majority of residents who spoke at the meeting were in favor of the amended ordinance.

Marianne Courey stated that she has had to give her dog a daily tranquilizer due to the fireworks; run her air conditioning due to the late night fireworks and been yelled by neighbors who were setting off pyrotechnics.

“I support this ordinance 100 percent,” she said. “There is an old saying ‘Good fences make good neighbors. ‘ I would include good ordinance make good neighbors.”


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