Why you could get a fine for shooting off fireworks Saturday

Elena Cousino
·1 min read

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Bright colors have been filling the sky for the past week in celebration of Independence Day, but now that the holiday has passed, police want to remind you that so will your privileges to shoot off fireworks of your own.

The Michigan Firework Safety Act states that you can shoot off fireworks until 11:45 p.m. Friday. After that, you could receive a visit from the police. The Grand Rapids Police Department said they have been receiving calls all week about people shooting off fireworks. They ask everyone to just be courteous of their neighbors during the legal times, however, they advise you to call them if people are shooting off fireworks outside of those times.

“Unfortunately we do have violations of the fireworks ordinance, people using them outside of the prescribed hours and days and we ask people to call the non-emergency number and when we have an officer available, we’ll address that,” GRPD Capt. Vincent Reilly said.

LIST: Fourth of July fireworks, parades in West Michigan

Reilly said in some cases they will just give the person shooting off fireworks a warning and more education on the city’s ordinance. If they are a repeat offender or the case is more extreme, they could receive a civil fine. The state’s act lists the amount of that fine as $1,000 per offense.

While you aren’t able to shoot off your own fireworks on Saturday, some cities will have fireworks shows you can attend. We have a full list of those events here.

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