Ypsilanti to consider restricting use of consumer fireworks
Complaints from residents have led the city of Ypsilanti to consider banning consumer fireworks on every day of the year, except on national holidays.
The City of Ypsilanti will consider an ordinance banning fireworks except on national holidays.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com file photo
In 2011, the state passed the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act, abolishing the previous statewide prohibition against consumer fireworks.
"Since the passing of the act, many citizens have voiced concerns about the use of these devices," city attorney John Barr wrote in his request for a city ordinance. "These concerns relate to the frequency of use, the time of use, and the location of use."
Section seven of the state law allows municipalities to regulate the use of fireworks, but only for days that aren't national holidays or the day before and after one.
The law already has certain requirements and prohibitions relating to the use of consumer fireworks, including requiring permission from property owners, prohibiting sales to minors, and prohibiting their use under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The city will consider adding language to its current fireworks ordinance making it unlawful to "ignite, discharge or use consumer fireworks within the City of Ypsilanti on any day of the year which is not a national holiday, the day before a national holiday, or the day after a national holiday.
The City Council is scheduled to have its first reading of the proposal Tuesday.
Council Member Ricky Jefferson said he and Mayor Pro Tem Lois Richardson received complaints from residents about fireworks being discharged year-round. Jefferson said fireworks are "blowing up" at all times of the day in the city.
"I was concerned and brought up the issue about the noise," Jefferson said. "It was going on all through the night, days after the Fourth of July."
In addition to deciding whether to change the ordinance, Council will discuss possible fees for violators, Jefferson said.
Katrease Stafford covers Ypsilanti for AnnArbor.com.Reach her at katreasestafford@annarbor.com or 734-623-2548 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
Tom Todd
Wed, Feb 20, 2013 : 3:39 a.m.
Respect for neighbors that went out with the fifties right people.
moveover2012
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 11:22 p.m.
WHO is selling the FIREWORKS and where can it be bought?
grye
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 5:13 p.m.
Everytime someone wants to have a little fun, someone else complains. Then a new law is established to curtail the fun. I have yet to see wide spread damage from the fireworks.
Joe Montgomery
Wed, Feb 20, 2013 : 8 p.m.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/07/fire_chief_all_other_causes_ru.html But it's worth burning down churches to have a little fun, right?
jns131
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 4:47 p.m.
Bottom line? City of Ypsilanti. Not Ypsilanti Township. We have more sense and better fireworks. Come on down near Ecorse. We don't shoot em any better. Wow, what a sad story.
jns131
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 9:22 p.m.
This article says Ypsilanti City. Not the township. So, I going with what I am not reading here. Enjoying my fireworks in July.
Pete Murdock
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 5:07 p.m.
Ypsilanti Township enacted the same fireworks ban last fall.
Liz
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 3:38 p.m.
This whole fireworks thing needs to be reformed. I live on the West Side of Ann Arbor, and it is insane that there is the potential for the idiots and nutcases around here to be blasting off explosives in the middle of the night throughout the 3day windows surrounding each national holiday! Obviously none of these revelers works for a living, like my neighbors and I do, or how could they be up all night shooting off high explosive ordinance? Good for Ypsi for trying to put the brakes on this stupid practice. And State lawmakes, get your heads out of the ground and represent the taxpayers who go to work exhausted from these bombardments.
Ann English
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 11:51 p.m.
Nearby Ypsi is the Willow Run Air Show. One lunch break spent watching the pilots rehearse for the Air Show, and I knew I liked air shows better than fireworks shows. They're held in the daytime, so the mosquitoes aren't active. Is that why some shoot off fireworks now, when the mosquitoes and other insects aren't around?
Katrease Stafford
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 2:41 p.m.
Have any of you noticed the issues mentioned in the article within your own neighborhood?
Ben
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 9:49 p.m.
Yes. We live on the east edge of Normal Park. We have heard fireworks year round even before the change in state law. I worry that gunfire may not be reported because people (like me) think it could just be an M80. I just hope there are enough police resources to respond and enforce this ordinance, should it pass.
jns131
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 4:49 p.m.
In all reality? Our neighbors shoot some pretty mean fireworks. This is Ypsilanti Township we are speaking. Can't wait to see them in July. Plus they have a pool so if anything goes wrong. We all chip in.
An Arborigine
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 2:40 p.m.
Doesn't Ypsi have bigger crime fish to fry?
Mousedeva
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 2:19 p.m.
Noise is one thing, but the anxiety I have wondering if my roof is on fire is another. Last year a firework was the culprit of a dumpster fire in my apt complex very close to where I park my car....I think they shouldn't be allowed period for everyone's safety....unless done by professionals, like an organized event that's regulated by the fire marshal!
Joe Montgomery
Wed, Feb 20, 2013 : 7:58 p.m.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/07/fire_chief_all_other_causes_ru.html If only they had had the hose on!
jns131
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 4:49 p.m.
If you are that worried? Turn on your hose. We make sure ours are on before we shoot.
Joe_Citizen
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 1:48 p.m.
I believe that is a good plan, and would be in favor of it. It's too bad the GOV has to nanny society. Fire works in the wrong hands are deadly, so be careful and use your best thinking when handling them.
Billy
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 12:58 p.m.
It's Ypsi...you sure those are firecrackers?
Ignatz
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 12:34 p.m.
It's too bad that people don't use sense and respect their fellow citizens. Now the government has to step in and further stress the police by restricting when others can set off their bombs.
Joe_Citizen
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 1:56 p.m.
Funny I never thought of that. I am still having a hard time trying to figure out why they were introduced back in Michigan when the rain of terrorism and drought is about. Hmm, it's like one hand has no idea what they other is doing. Like one hand is putting dishes up in the cabinet, and the other is taking dishes of a different shelf in the same cabinet and setting them into the strainer. Right, it doesn't make any sense what so ever, and a waste of energy, or the peoples money.