Urbandale Police: 'Zero Tolerance" on Illegal July 4 Fireworks

Urbandale residents, consider yourselves warned: Most fireworks are illegal in the city and using them can land you in court.

"We have zero tolerance on illegal fireworks," Urbandale Police Lt. Terry Nielsen said Tuesday.

Police last week reminded residents that about the only types of fireworks they can ignite are what are typically called snakes, and sparklers. Everything else — bottle rockets, Roman candles, firecrackers to name a few — are illegal.

"If Hy-Vee or Walmart is not selling them, chances are they are illegal," said Randy Peterson, public information officer for the .  

Police will issue tickets to violators, who will be required to appear in court, he said. Parents of children younger than 14 will be cited if compliance with the law is not followed.

Discharging illegal fireworks is a simple misdemeanor, punishable by a fine ranging from $65 to $625, according to the Iowa Code.

Would you call police if you heard your neighbors shooting off fireworks? Tell us why or why not in the comments section below. 

From late June through July 4 each year the Urbandale department receives dozens of calls from residents complaining that neighbors are firing off illegal fireworks.

Last year the department had five cases in which people were cited for using illegal fireworks, Peterson said. Officers received many more calls, but by the time police arrived they couldn't find the scofflaws, they had stopped shooting their fireworks or they had all been used, he added.

Peterson urges Urbandale residents to follow the law, save their money and watch the city-sanctioned July 4 fireworks show planned by the Fourth of July Committee. It will be held at Walker Johnston Park and should be visible from most parts of the city.