Community Corner

Have Fireworks Become a Nuisance in Your Neighborhood? Should Macomb Regulate Them?

With the new fireworks laws in place, more items, previously not allowed, are being sold in the state. Are fireworks a problem in your neighborhood?

As the Fourth of July creeps closer, more and more nights are filled with the booms of fireworks.

For the first time, several new fireworks are available to residents – fireworks that were previously not allowed in the state. These fireworks include Roman candles, reloadable shells, aerials, firecrackers and bottle or sky rockets, which are louder and larger than most.

Sgt. Jason Dumas, a fire prevention specialist, said he and his colleagues at the Macomb Township Fire Department, are "anticipating an increase (in fireworks use), preparing for the worst and hoping for the best." 

Find out what's happening in Macomb Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Several (fireworks sales) facilities have moved into our jurisdiction that are approved by the state," Dumas said. "We're not happy about it obviously. We expect an increase in runs because of fire-related injuries."

Some Macomb Township residents are upset that fireworks sales and use have started so early in the township, citing issues with neighbors launching fireworks late at night and worrying about the safety of their own homes.

Find out what's happening in Macomb Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I think some of the issues that we have with the bigger, the better, the badder fireworks is No. 1 safety,” said township resident Brenda Baker. “These ones that are commercial, they are being shot up, and I don't want them near my house. The other thing is it's taking away the peaceful community.”

Baker was one of several township residents to urge the township board Wednesday to enact an ordinance that would restrict the use of fireworks in the days and weeks leading up to and following national holidays.

"The problem I have is I don't want to celebrate July 4 on June 2 or June 3 or June 4 or June 5 or July 10 or July 12 and that's the issue I think that we need to look at," Baker said.

According to state law, Macomb cannot enact an ordinance regulating "the use of consumer fireworks on the day preceding, the day of, or the day after a national holiday." However, the township would be within its rights to pass an ordinance restricting fireworks use throughout other parts of the year.

So Macomb Patch wants to know:

Have the sound and frequency of fireworks become a nuisance? Should there be an ordinance restricting when fireworks should be used, or do you trust your neighbors to use good judgement?


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here