Warren Mayor Jim Fouts has directed Warren police to strictly enforce city fireworks laws this weekend.
“Violators will be prosecuted with fines up to $500. We have zero tolerance for breaking the law,” said Fouts. Fouts listed severe safety and noise rules for discharging fireworks. (See attached list of city fireworks rules)
For the fourth consecutive year, Warren Mayor Jim Fouts will ride-along with a Warren police officer July 4 at 9 p.m. to monitor city streets for fireworks violations.
Mayor Jim Fouts stated that a special task force has been formed consisting of police, property maintenance inspectors, CERTS (a police volunteer group), fire department personnel, and park employees, all of whom will be patrolling neighborhoods July 4. This year, for the fourth year, police undercover officers will also be on the lookout for fireworks ordinance violators.
Fouts is the only public official in Michigan to voice opposition to the fireworks law passed by the State Legislature in 2012. “The new law is a money grab by state lawmakers at the expense of disrupting our neighborhoods,” says Mayor Jim Fouts in a statement.
“Now, fireworks are louder, longer and more lethal.”
“The legislation legalizes fireworks on 10 holidays including Christmas and Thanksgiving, which I believe is inappropriate. These are family holidays, hardly days to discharge loud fireworks,” says Mayor Fouts. “When fireworks are discharged, I receive many calls from upset residents about the impact of loud fireworks on their pets, senior citizens, and their peace and tranquility. I still believe this law should be rescinded because of the disruption, police overtime, blight, and noise caused by the law.”
Mayor Jim Fouts stated that he supports the proposed legislation introduced by State Representatives Henry Yanez and John Chirkun that gives local communities like Warren more control over fireworks.
The Mayor will conduct a random visit to some commercial vendors of fireworks in the city of Warren to ensure that they understand and are in compliance with the rules on the sale of fireworks.
