Not everybody likes fireworks

By CHANSE WATSON

Managing Editor

WALLACE — In addition to holding backyard barbecues and wearing patriotic apparel, lighting off fireworks is one of the most popular activities one can do to celebrate the Fourth of July.

While many enjoy watching or partaking in this tradition by purchasing fireworks from their local stand, others like to step it up a notch and obtain some bigger fireworks from out of town providers. The high availability of these large fireworks due to several Native American reservations being within driving distance of Shoshone County.

Regardless of where they are acquired, aerial and high-powder fireworks could be seen being lit all over the Silver Valley on and around Independence Day.

Many residents saw these displays and admired them, but others did not.

As with every year, law enforcement agencies expect and receive several firework related reports around Fourth of July. Some complained about the illegal nature of the fireworks, others about the noise.

One Shoshone News-Press subscriber even wrote a letter to the editor describing their issue (see page A2 or online).

“The fireworks are nothing like the ones that the Lions Club sells, which we don’t have any problem with each year. But when your house shakes and rattles the windows and our dogs are afraid to go out and urinate during this time, it is that bad.”

The letter goes on to say that local law enforcement did nothing to hinder those who were lighting them off.

Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office Captain Jeremy Groves explains that, like at all agencies, responding to firework calls is very important.

“We have plenty of calls countywide (that day),” he said, “People’s concerns and complaints about fireworks are no less concerning than somebody calling about something else.”

But when it comes to taking actual punitive action on offenders, things get a little tricky.

Responding units must first use the information provided by the reporting party to find the source of the illegal fireworks. Assuming that the culprits have not stopped what they are doing before, deputies must then respond with an open mind and react reasonably to the situation.

“You get there and there’s a group of 35 people,” Groves explained. “Do we stand there and line everyone up because they were there?”

The toughest penalty for using non-permitted fireworks in Idaho is an infraction citation that can cost up to $156.50. In order to write one of these citations or confiscate the fireworks, deputies must be able to see the act; not just hear about it.

Before the situation gets to that point, though, Groves says that deputies will generally issue a verbal warning for a first offense.

“Majority of the time, people are respectful and quit doing what they know they are not supposed to be doing,” he said, “Then we aren’t flooding the court system with a whole bunch of ‘misuse of fireworks’ citations compared to going out and taking care of people that shouldn’t be driving under the influence, domestics, priority calls and everything else.”

Whether or not the offenders were taking proper safety precautions also plays a factor in the decision to write citation or not.

Between June 29 through July 9, SCSO received 14 total firework related calls countywide. Of those 14, only one led to a citation being written; the rest were given verbal warnings or were unable to be located.

Groves said even though he can empathize with those who dread the fireworks and the noise, it only lasts for a short time.

“I respect and understand that it bothers some people. But it’s a small window of the year,” he said. “We know there’s that certain time of the year that people light fireworks. It’s Fourth of July; they kind of go hand-and-hand.”

Idaho law prohibits the use of any firework (without proper licensing and permits) that does not fit the definition of a non-aerial common firework. These are defined as “any fireworks such as ground spinners, fountains, sparklers, smoke devices or snakes designed to remain on or near the ground and not to travel outside a fifteen (15) foot diameter circle or emit sparks or other burning material which land outside a twenty (20) foot diameter circle or above a height of twenty (20) feet.”

Non-aerial common fireworks do not include firecrackers, jumping jacks or similar products.

If you wish to report an illegal use of fireworks, a noise complaint or another non-emergency incident, contact SCSO at 208-556-1114.

For any emergency, fireworks related or not, always dial 911.