Cape council discusses possible ban on fireworks

Cape Girardeau could become fireworks free -- or at least less of what Mayor Jay Knudtson compared to a "war zone" -- in the weeks before July 4 depending on the cooperation of its neighbors.

At Monday night's meeting, council members discussed changing ordinances governing fireworks, from simply banning them altogether to shrinking the two-week window residents can use them to a period of a few days.

Police chief Steve Strong said because the city is experiencing a rise in operational costs to combat fireworks abuse and because of recent losses suffered by property owners, the topic of a ban needed to be put on the table. But in order for any changes to be effective, having the cooperation of Jackson and Scott City would be imperative, he said.

"To have a ban would be difficult to enforce if someone could simply step across the street to buy them," he said.

Knudtson asked whether banning certain types of fireworks would help, but Strong said vendors would likely switch sizes or powder levels to get around guidelines, making such changes nearly ineffective.

"Personally, I think the way to go is to either say you can have them or you're not going to have them," Strong said.

Ward 3 council member Jay Purcell suggested shortening the two-week period as another alternative.

"Two weeks of constant shooting off -- there's nothing patriotic about that at all," he said.

Between June 20 and July 4, the expenses incurred by the police and fire departments relating to fireworks was $2,887.76. This included 221 police requests for service, four fire calls, fireworks stand inspections, officer training and public education. With the inclusion of a mutual aid response to Jackson for a fireworks incident and the Liberty Fest expenses, that total increased to $5,083.27.

But sales tax revenue from fireworks stands may not be enough to cover these expenses. The total revenue from this year's sales won't be known until perhaps October, but the 2002 revenues only ranged from $3,780 to $4,620, Strong said.

The council asked interim city manager Doug Leslie to contact Jackson's leadership to see where they are in the addressing fireworks concerns and to report back to the council.

The Jackson Board of Aldermen discussed a similar regional strategy at an earlier July meeting. Jackson will hold a public hearing Aug. 4 on the issue of fireworks.

mwells@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160