Even with stronger enforcement efforts, the city of Wichita continued to have a big problem with illegal fireworks last summer.  That’s according to fire marshal Stu Bevis in a recent report for the city council.

Bevis said almost 140 citations were issued, generating around $23,000 in fines, and there were over 1,400 complaints to a special hotline that was set up during the July 4th holiday.   The city had teams of police and fire personnel looking for fireworks violations across the city on July 3rd and 4th.   Bevis said there were safety concerns with the enforcement effort because some people reacted angrily when they were approached by officers, and some situations were so volatile that the officers had to back out.   He said many citizens still claimed ignorance of the city’s fireworks laws.

Bevis said discussions were held with the city’s district advisory boards late last year and questions were raised on whether enforcement is worth the risk.  He said for this year, the plan is to focus on problem areas of the city that have the most complaints, but no changes are being recommended for the fireworks ordinance.

Bevis said enforcement will continue to focus on July 3rd and 4th, but city council member Bryan Frye said the 4th is on a Thursday this year, and he expects to see more fireworks use on the Friday and Saturday after the holiday.  Frye said it will be critical to continue a public education campaign on the city’s fireworks laws.

Bevis said it will take several years of data to determine if the stronger enforcement is having an impact, but Frye and council member Cindy Claycomb said they noticed a difference in the community last summer.  Claycomb said she heard from residents who said they felt safer last summer because there were fewer fireworks shot off in the days leading up to the 4th.