Parts of Kansas City, within the city limits, have the look and feel of rural America. But there is still no license to do what seems natural on Independence Day.
Fireworks are as much a part of the Fourth of July as flag waving and patriotic music. Fireworks are illegal in many parts of the Kansas City region. Kansas City, Missouri Police have the power to write citations and confiscate. Even possession of fireworks is illegal in Kansas City.
A YouTube video made by the bomb and arson squad shows a container packed with confiscated fireworks being blown up by Master Detective Mike Luster, to make a point about safety.
The sights and sounds of detonations are hard to ignore--“You just have to remember that fireworks are dangerous, regardless whether they’re professional fireworks or commercial fireworks you can buy at any stand. They’re dangerous for anyone to use and you just have to use caution.”
In the Shoal Creek Police district in the semi -rural, far northeast side of the city, Major David Zimmerman has told his officers they can give a warning.
Officers have been told they can make an arrest, write a citation and/or seize illegal fireworks.
For weeks before the holiday, Zimmerman has heard from worried people among his district’s 86 thousand residents--“where the complaints are coming from are housing developments where there’s high density housing. Neighbors are right next to each other.”
The Police video points out that insurance liability should be another deterrent to shooting fireworks, if someone is injured or a house is set on fire.
Zimmerman, 30 years a policeman, recalls tragic injuries and deaths.
He will have teams of officers out July 4, prepared to seize fireworks.
Penalties can range up to a $500 fine and six months in jail.