Fourth of July Fireworks Displays in the City
In O’Fallon, it is illegal to sell or explode any fireworks without a permit issued by the City Clerk. Illegal fireworks include firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles
and any other device that is designed to produce an audible report or visual effect through an explosive charge.
These laws are in place to protect against injury and property damage that can result from the use of explosive devices. As a result of this prohibition, the Police Department typically receives between 50 and 100 fireworks complaints during the 4th of July holiday season. In the past, police officers have made every effort to use discretion in the enforcement of this ban, and we have relied heavily on warnings in place of issuing formal charges for violating the ordinance. In most cases, these warnings have the desired effect of educating those who were not aware that fireworks are illegal throughout the State of Illinois, and they comply voluntarily. Unfortunately, some have taken advantage of these warnings only to return to the illegal activity as soon as the officer has left the
area. This response to the warnings has proven to be very aggravating to the person or persons who made the original complaint and the officer who responded and issued the warning.
As a result of the number of warnings that were ignored in the past, the Police Department will adopt a “Zero Tolerance” policy this year with respect to illegal fireworks. We will be issuing tickets to the persons responsible for the violations and confiscating any fireworks determined to be illegal in an effort to avoid future violations.
Interested parties can apply for a permit to have a fireworks display with the City Clerks office at least 15 days in advance of the event. They must be able to demonstrate that the event will not create an unnecessary hazard and that they are competent in the area of fireworks detonation. In addition, a $1,000,000 insurance policy naming the City of O’Fallon as “also insured” must be in place.
The only thing that the members of the Department of Public Safety want to do less than write you a ticket for using illegal fireworks is tend to someone who has been injured when all they wanted to do was “have some innocent fun”. The best way to avoid the temptation to break the law is to avoid buying the fireworks in the first place. Watch the newspaper for a listing of local events that will feature fireworks displays and have a safe and fun holiday.
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