Since Poulsbo’s new fireworks law doesn’t start until next year, police chief Ron Harding spoke to the City Council at its meeting June 14 to offer strategies for potential discharge violations around the upcoming July 4 holiday.
Council approved in February to limit the use of fireworks in city limits for only July 4, aligning with Kitsap County policy. The law will be implemented in 2024 when discharge hours will only be from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. each July 4th.
In this last year of the old law, fireworks can be discharged at different times from June 28 through July 5. Fireworks violations are now a misdemeanor, with imprisonment for no more than 90 days, no more than a $1,000 fine, or both.
Harding said Poulsbo police will have one extra patrol officer the nights of July 3 and 4 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. He said police will respond to calls that have to do with safety issues, fireworks/noise complaints and anything else along those lines. “Anything that indicates someone is concerned about safety, that will be our priority,” Harding said.
After 11 p.m. on those nights, police will make efforts to gain compliance through education/warnings to people if there are any complaints. “We don’t want to issue misdemeanor citations,” the chief said. “If we have to we will.”
Councilmember Davis Musgrove floated the idea of having barricades put up along Highway 305 and other areas that say what days and times fireworks are allowed. Harding agreed and said police will also be relaying that information on social media, along with a list of fireworks that are legal and banned.
“That’s complicated because some of what is legal you would think wouldn’t be,” Harding said. “Mortars to some degree are legal. Some other aerial displays are listed as legal. The exploding devices, M80s, the really loud explosions that are ground fireworks, those are illegal.”
He said fireworks violations are hard because police have to catch them in the act of lighting them, but, “We will do our best.”
Councilmember Ed Stern advocated for a small fireworks show on the 4th of July since the 3rd of July show on the waterfront is no longer occurring. Stern said having it July 4 would bring fewer people since there are other fireworks shows in the region that day. When it was held July 3, it was the only fireworks show in the region, which led to huge crowds.
Stern said implementing an event like that would bring the city one step closer to a complete fireworks ban. He said he’s not sure what organization would have interest in putting on a fireworks show, however.
