Seattle Police Department:
The Seattle Police Department and Seattle Fire Department would like to remind the public that fireworks are illegal in the City of Seattle.
The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling and use of fireworks are prohibited. Fireworks offenses are gross misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a $5,000 fine.
Fireworks pose a fire hazard to property and present a safety risk to those who use them. Every year the Seattle Fire Department responds to fireworks-related fires and injuries. The holiday related fires and injuries are preventable.
On the 4th of July, 911 centers become overloaded with non-emergency fireworks calls. DO NOT call 911 unless you have a life-threatening emergency and need immediate help from police, fire or medics. Unnecessary 911 calls block people with real emergencies from reaching 911 and getting help.
Any fireworks-related fires or injuries should be reported directly to 911. Other fireworks violations may be reported by calling the Seattle Police non-emergency number at (206) 625-5011.
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{ 12 comments }
“fireworks are illegal in the City of Seattle”
what a laugh that is. I wonder where the cops are hiding when this is all going on?
Well, we ended up calling 911 five times early this AM. Some 10-15 freaks decided to turn our NewHolly neighborhood into their personal OK-corral for a good 45 minutes, firing their “artillery shells”, “rockets”, and what-not AT each other, using surrounding homes, cars, etc. as shields while scaring and enraging the sh*t out of everyone here. and we’re not talking about tiny bottlerockets or firecrackers….these were the BIG stuff you see exploding in the air everywhere on the 4th….except these were exploding on the ground, around cars, homes, yards, park, etc.
Out of curiosity, would there possibly be any point to reporting fireworks use to the non-emergency line?
much too much noise for too many days
dog terrified and husband coughing
Yeah — not sure why the police don’t do anything about the people shooting what appear to be close to professional-grade fireworks. It’s a catastrophe waiting to happen.
It seems like it would be a great – legal – opportunity to take some of the more profilic youth off the street, potentially with some weapons also. Where’s the ATF when you need them!
We do not have enough police the other 364 days out of the year, so unless the city wants to use the 4th as one of it’s “revenue enhancment” plans I do not see where we have enough officers for fireworks patrol. Then add in the umpteen thousand people who can’t distinguish between a gunshot and a firecracker and the police are really busy.
I went to the store today and my favorite clerk noted that on S. Orcas, the people with the least amount of money in general seemed to have the most money to spend on fireworks.
@MarkB
I’m not sure if throwing your hands in the air and saying “Oh well” is the best response to having an understaffed force. I’d like to see a little effort put forth to shut down the more dangerous displays. Just a little. I’d wager there’s a percentage of people who wouldn’t do it at all if they knew there were possible legal ramifications.
I blame our lawmakers. Passing laws/restrictions they know full well people will totally ignore, never intending to enforce them in the first place. My neighborhood is adjacent to Skyway, which is still unincorporated King County. Lots of fireworks sales booths. People come from all over to buy the stuff there. My neighborhood is a war zone for several weeks running. I have to take my dog out of town for the worst of it. This is not personal freedom. This is giving people the right to terrorize neighbors, all so a small segment of our society can make some money. Since Skyway seems to be the dumping ground for all sorts of things by the King County Council, there appears to be no hope for improvement for Skyway or communities surrounding it. King County Council, in a word, sucks. And there are way too many irresponsible parents who seem not to have money to properly clothe, feed, and educate their kids, but can find money each year to spend on fireworks. It’s certainly not our society’s shining moment. So sad, especially on the birthday of our country.
@Tiffany
I am not just throwing my hands in the air, just coming to the realization that after I have bitched at meetings, written letters to City leaders (if you want to call them that), that as much as they promise us more officers, it does not seem that it is going to happen anytime soon.
It would be great if they had the time to go after the more dangerous displays as you mention, but chances are they are on a call of reported gunfire that turns out to be fireworks.
I say, tax ALL firework purchases at 50% (100% for the really big stuff) and use THAT revenue to pay for extra police patrols on the 4th.
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