Reminder About No Fireworks Inside City

City Administrator Rick Childers is reminding St. Clair residents that it is illegal to ignite fireworks within city limits.

During Monday’s board of aldermen meeting, Childers took a couple of minutes to discuss the issue.

“I’d like to remind our citizens that city ordinance prohibits discharging fireworks of any kind within the city, and that state regulations prohibit open burning between April 15 and Sept. 15,” he said during the meeting. “Recent fires in neighboring communities are a grim testament to the extremely hot, dry and volatile conditions we’re in.

“We’d like everyone to have a happy Fourth of July and to be extra safe this year.”

City ordinance also prohibits the sale of fireworks within the city limits.

Independence Day is Wednesday.

According to Chapter 16, Section 16-4 of the city’s code of ordinances, any individual who discharges fireworks within the city “shall be deemed guilty of an offense.” Fireworks include torpedoes, bombs, rockets, pinwheels, fire balloons, roman candles, toy cannons or “any other fireworks of a like kind.”

Police Chief Bill Hammack has told The Missourian that his officers usually will give one warning when dispatched to a scene involving the use of fireworks.

He also said that just about every year his officers respond to fireworks-related issues.

The chief said his department keeps a log of who has been warned and cited. He said he does not use extra patrons around the holiday to police the city.

It also is illegal to sell fireworks within the city limits, according to Chapter 16, Section 16-5 of the city’s code of ordinances.

According to Chapter 1, Section 1-8, individuals found guilty of using or selling fireworks within city limits can be fined up to $500 and sentenced to up to six months in jail.