Lorain limits residents' fireworks displays to several major holidays

LORAIN — Lorain will restrict fireworks use by residents to several major holidays, under a new ordinance passed Monday evening. Residents will be able to light off fireworks on the 4th of July, Cinco de Mayo, Juneteenth,and New Year's Eve up to 11 p.m., and extended to 1 a.m. Jan. 1, as a new state law allowed cities to limit fireworks usage to certain holidays and times. The crux of the issue is enforcement, Police Chief Jim McCann told City Council at a Police, Fire and Legislative Committee meeting before the group's regular session. In the hierarchy of calls for service, fireworks calls are pretty low compared to violent crimes or crimes in progress, McCann said, noting officers won't be called off scene of a shooting for a parking, high grass or fireworks complaint. "Sometimes I feel like Council doesn't understand, we have so many people and so many calls. … The more stuff you create for us to do, the more we can't make our mission (to combat violent crime)," he said. The solution, in McCann's opinion, would be to enact stiffer penalties for those who do get caught, so they won't soon forget, he said. Tony Dimacchia, D-at large, agreed the biggest issue is enforcement, and putting additional responsibilities on officers on holidays can result in more overtime. He suggested having a larger conversation with the City Auditor to see if any fines generated from the new ordinance can go directly back into funding its enforcement. Mary Springowski, D-at large, said she hasn't heard from anyone in favor of fireworks, and received numerous requests to ban them outright. An email from Deputy Auditor Anita Harper to City Council said fines are part of the general fund revenue, and setting it aside to support Lorain police would require the Clerk of Courts to run a report for funds generated from just that offense. Pam Carter, D-3rd Ward, said she grew up with fireworks and doesn't find them an issue, but understands other residents' concerns. She said Council needs to be realistic in its requests. A Zencity survey conducted earlier this year saw 67 percent of respondents agree the city should allow fireworks on select days and holidays, with 74 percent agreeing fireworks should be allowed on the 4th of July. Josh Thornsberry, D-8th Ward, suspected it wasn't the last time City Council will discuss the issue, but noted something needed to be on the books before the change in state law goes into effect July 1. Springowski suggested further meetings with municipal judges to make sure any fines or charges imposed aren't dismissed once they hit the courtroom. A previous version of the legislation included Memorial Day and Labor Day as permitted holidays, but those were removed Monday in a 7-2 vote, with Mitchell Fallis, D-at Large, and Dimacchia voting against the change. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chorniclet.com.