What do Florida laws say about fireworks?

Ormond Beach Observer
News

While about 3,500 people watched the city’s firework display over the Halifax river on Independence Day, a handful of Ormond Beach residents lit up the skies above their own lawns, violating Florida law.

The Ormond Beach Police Department got 19 calls about illegal firework displays on July 4, said OPBD spokesman Keith Walker.

Florida Statutes Chapter 791 states that it it "unlawful for any person, firm, co-partnership, or corporation to offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail, or use or explode any fireworks." The law defines fireworks as “any article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation." That does not include sparklers.

Recently, the Ormond Beach Observer published an opinion column by Community Editor Jacque Estes about how fireworks affect pets and veterans. Linda Kay Doviak commented on the article’s Facebook post that she hates fireworks because of their effect on animals.

“I can understand firework displays, like Disney, or community organized displays, but it is the backyard bomber that I have a problem with,” Doviak wrote.

Not everyone agreed with Doviak.

“I have consideration for animals and vets, but let’s not get carried away and outlaw fireworks like everything else that was once a good part of our lives,” commented Carol Meader-Gilliam. Despite the 19 calls on July 4, no illegal fireworks were confiscated by OBPD, and therefore no reports were filed.

“In the past, even during the droughts, our city police did little to enforce the laws and treated the calls as an annoyance,” commented Donald Williamson on Facebook.

When an anonymous call regarding fireworks is made to OBPD on Independence Day, officers head to the location in question and have to try and catch people in the act, said Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey. He said usually, as soon as people catch sight of the officers, they either go inside their homes or stop shooting the fireworks.

"We obviously go for education first before enforcement," Godfrey said. "So if we do catch somebody, typically we say 'can you stop doing that? Somebody's called and it's bothering people.' But it is the fourth of July—it's a celebration."

Report: Fireworks in Port Orange

In Port Orange, a call summary report from the Port Orange Police Department shows that from July 1 and July 7 there were 68 fireworks related complaints recorded. Of these, 34 took place on July 4.

"Our goal is to provide a safe environment for everyone. With that being said, there are very real safety and quality of life issues that result from people lighting fireworks. From a law enforcement perspective, it’s difficult for the police to eliminate the use of fireworks because they can be purchased legally," Port Orange Public Information Officer Evan Doyle wrote in an email. "Additionally, the sheer volume of calls for service we receive makes it very difficult to respond in a timely fashion. We want people to celebrate and enjoy themselves but we also encourage them to be safe and respectful to their neighbors."