Sheffield Lake leaders displeased with satirical fireworks event

SHEFFIELD LAKE — The city is looking to dispel false information after a satirical Facebook page resembling an official city account began promoting an alleged free-for-all community fireworks event at the Shoreway Shopping Center. Not only is the rumored fireworks display unaffiliated with the city, Mayor Dennis Bring said, but it also would be unsafe for anyone to set off pyrotechnics in the shopping center's parking lot, let alone a large group of untrained people. "You put people in danger to do that stuff. If they fire it off, they could burn down the shopping center if there is no control. It's total common sense," he said. "I'm going to probably end up with more police that night to make sure nobody does do that, but that's more added cost to the city because of this guy or woman or whoever it is." Shoreway Shopping Center is owned by the city. In years past, Sheffield Lake has held a municipal fireworks show at the boat launch, but it was postponed this summer due to concerns over crowds gathering and the potential spread of COVID-19. The city would consider holding the show later in the year if the situation with the pandemic changes. But for the person or people behind the Shoreway Shopping Center display hoax, Bring said they are "promoting somebody to do an illegal act," and he has asked city Law Director David Graves and the Police Department to look into the matter. "We would love to get a hold of this person and have a little chat with them," Bring said. Sheffield Lake attempted to get Facebook to take down the event listing — titled "Shopping Center Fireworks (CAN'T STOP US ALL!!!)" — but have been unsuccessful thus far. Attempts by the city and police to post denials of the event on the page were also unsuccessful initially, but a statement from the Police Department was eventually shared. The fake city page features the real Sheffield Lake logo and is difficult to distinguish from a legitimate page at first glance, but a disclaimer indicates that it is intended as satire and is unaffiliated with the actual city. A disclaimer at the bottom of the event listing itself says moderators do not condone breaking the law and, "If you take this event seriously and discharge illegal fireworks we will not be held responsible for your actions." But that hasn't stopped some residents from calling City Hall with concerns about the potential of a large group actually firing off pyrotechnics July 4. Contact Dylan Reynolds at (440) 329-7123 or dreynolds@chroniclet.com. Follow him on Twitter @drey1357.