Fireworks complaints booming in city

If you have heard a loud explosion or two in your vicinity over the past several weeks, you are likely not alone. The Findlay Police Department on Thursday reported it has responded to 23 complaints of fireworks since May, a figure over twice as high as the same period in 2019. Of those complaints, 18 were confirmed. Lt. Jim Mathias said that while the department saw only nine complaints of fireworks at this time last year, he expects that COVID-19 limitations and the cancellation of the city's July 4 fireworks are contributing to the rise. "Due to people staying indoors and not travelling very far, I would guess that sales have probably increased, and we'll probably be dealing with more complaints this year than we have," said Mathias. "Usually several weeks before and usually a few weeks after is our biggest time for this type of thing." Citizens are able to purchase fireworks from a licensed dealer in Ohio, but shooting them off while still in the state is illegal. This is in accordance with Ohio Revised Code 3743.65, which states that "no person shall discharge, ignite, or explode any fireworks in this state." Exhibitors of authorized firework displays are the exception to the rule. The only fireworks allowed in Ohio are designated as novelty items bombs — designed to smoke, emit light or snap. But explosive items like bottle rockets, Roman candles and firecrackers are illegal, and shooting one off could potentially result in a first-degree misdemeanor charge and a fine of up to $1,000. "The only ones that you're allowed to light are something that smokes or sparkles," said Mathias. "So anything that has sound, whether it blows up or has a light emittance, is illegal." Mathias said the department often receives complaints about fireworks anonymously, leading to most people receiving warnings for creating a disturbance. But if officers view fireworks being shot off or a criminal complaint for a specific place is registered with the department, action will be taken to confiscate the fireworks and request charges. While laws governing fireworks in Ohio are seen by many to be contradictory, there is legislation in both the state House of Representatives and Senate to potentially change that. House Bill 253 and Senate Bill 72 would both legalize certain fireworks for use on private property. While S.B. 72 is still in committee, H. B. 253 — a bipartisan bill sponsored by Ohio Reps. Michael O'Brien (D-Warren) and Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville) — was passed by the Legislature on June 5 and introduced in the Senate for review June 8. Both bills are unlikely to be passed by July 4. To report fireworks being shot off, call the police department's 24-hour nonemergency line at 419-424-7150.