July 4, 2007

Fireworks okay until midnight tonight

       Fireworks have been soaring across Johnson County the past week, and so has the blood pressure of many residents.  Since June 27, police across the county have received more than 100 complaints about the screech of bottle rockets and the crack of fireworks.  Many residents get annoyed at the noise, can't sleep with celebrations stretching long into the night or worry that their house might be set ablaze by errant fireworks.  The only hitch to residents' complaints: In 2006, the General Assembly legalized fireworks so long as Hoosiers use them on their own property from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Today, fireworks can be launched until midnight.  "We have to tell people that there's not much we can do," New Whiteland Police Sgt. David Glaze said. "We go out and investigate and monitor the situation if we have to. We resolve the situation if we can."  Hoosiers no longer have to sign affidavits when buying fireworks agreeing to only use them out of state. But some restrictions still apply. For example, aerial fireworks have to land in the property they were launched from.  Fireworks can't legally be set off on streets, sidewalks, parks or other public property, Glaze said.

         On Monday, the New Whiteland Police Department received complaints that a group of teenagers was heading down Warwick Road, shooting bottle rockets at cars and people.  Glaze say he caught six teenagers in the act, brought them into the station and released them to their parents.  Each teen was fined $120. Under state law, minors aren't allowed to handle fireworks without a parent around.

         The New Whiteland Police Department has received 10 complaints this season, Glaze said.  Many of the rules are difficult to enforce, such as that aerial fireworks must land on your property, he said.  Franklin resident Martin Bales is sick of having to pick up spent bottle rocket casings on his property. He worries what could happen to his children if they're out in the backyard while the fireworks are being set off.  "We're certainly not against the Fourth of July," he said. "We intend to celebrate with fireworks of our own. But we shouldn't have bottle rockets coming onto our property."  Bales called the police when bottle rockets hit windows and the side of his house Friday. The police just drove by the house of the boy who shot them off and shined a spotlight into the backyard, Bales said.  Since Wednesday, the Franklin Police Department has received 20 complaints related to fireworks and issued no citations, administrative assistant Mary Helm said.

         Franklin resident Robert Dean called the police Saturday when aerial fireworks started coming toward his house. He told police he worried they might set his house on fire.  Such a worry is well-founded, particularly with such a dry season, White River Township Fire Department Chief Scott Cassin said. Investigators are looking into whether fireworks caused an apartment fire in Carmel on Monday, as some witnesses reported.  Cassin said residents should make sure they have enough clear space before they set off fireworks and have some idea of where they will land to avoid starting a fire.  Franklin police talked to Dean's neighbor, who said a firework canister had fallen over and started shooting sideways. The man agreed to stop for the evening, according to a police report.

         Many complaints are resolved by an officer talking with those shooting off the fireworks, Johnson County Sheriff's Office chief deputy Doug Cox said.  "It's something we have to deal with on a case-by-case basis," he said.  The Greenwood Police Department investigates all complaints to see if the city's noise ordinance is being violated, Lt. Bob Dine said. The rule requires that noise not be heard from a distance of 30 feet or more at any time of day.  So far, the department has not issued any tickets after looking into more than 30 complaints, Dine said. In many cases, he said, the perpetrators have left the scene by the time police arrive or agree to wrap up the evening festivities.  Residents can can normally shoot off fireworks until 11 p.m. Tonight residents can set off fireworks as late as midnight. Dine hopes many residents will choose to be courteous and not continue their celebrations that late.  "It doesn't get dark now until about 10:15 (p.m.)," he said. "But people still have to go to work in the morning."  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)

 

For more information about the new Indiana Fireworks Law or additional safety tips, click HERE.

 
   

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