By Matt Nash
Olympic Peninsula News Group
SEQUIM — This Fourth of July will be the first in Sequim city limits without fireworks crackling and lighting up the Blue Hole, while other Peninsula communities expect similar outcomes this year to past ones under their consumer fireworks bans.
Sequim citizens voted 65.6 percent (2,642) in favor of an advisory vote in November 2016 asking the Sequim City Council to ban the discharge of all commercial fireworks. City council members followed the vote and unanimously passed an ordinance going into effect this summer.
Sequim now joins the cities of Port Angeles and Port Townsend to not allow the discharge of consumer fireworks.
Last Fourth of July was the last time Sequim residents could discharge residential fireworks in city limits but calls for service were on-par with years prior, the Sequim Police Department reports.
From June 30-July 5, 2017, there were 10 calls for firework violations with four of those on July 4.
Some or all of those violations likely weren’t in city limits either, Sequim Police Chief Sheri Crain said.
“Calls for service are typically noises coming from the county,” Crain said. “Loud noises sound close but they likely aren’t.”
Residents in unincorporated Clallam County and Jefferson County can shoot legal, consumer fireworks from 9 a.m.-11 p.m. today, 9 a.m.-midnight Wednesday and 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday.
However, Clallam County commissioners continue to consider an ordinance that could ban consumer fireworks across the county, too. The proposed ordinance would allow for private fireworks displays from a state licensed pyrotechnician.
A hearing on the ordinance is set for 6 p.m. July 17 in room 160 at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.
Port Angeles Police Chief Brian Smith said that so far this year PAPD has received “very minimal” calls and complaints about fireworks.
The ban in Port Angeles is in its third year.
“We expect that people are used to it and are well aware of the ban in the city,” Smith said. “We don’t think we’ll have any problems. Hopefully [compliance] will continue to be better and better every year.”
Port Townsend Police Chief Michael Evans was unable to be reached by phone before press time.
In Sequim, fireworks booths go up in city limits from June 28-July 5, when up to four licensed retailers can set up booths in designated areas.
When city councilors first discussed an ordinance in the summer of 2016, some didn’t want to negatively impact nonprofits who operate fireworks booths for various causes.
This year, two nonprofits — Sequim Worship Center near JCPenney and Sequim Vineyard near Sequim Walmart — hold approved permits.
Events
There are multiple Independence Day celebrations on Wednesday, July 4:
• Sequim: 3 p.m., Sequim City Band Concert at the James Center for the Performing Arts at Carrie Blake Community Park.
• Port Angeles: noon-11 p.m., Concerts at City Pier; 6 p.m., Downtown Parade; 10 p.m. fireworks over the water
• Port Townsend: 4-10 p.m., Old School Fourth of July with fireworks around 10 p.m. at Fort Worden
• Forks: noon, Grand Parade starting at Forks Outfitters; 1-4 p.m., Salmon Bake at Tillicum Park; 3 p.m., Demolition Derby at Tillicum Park Arena; dusk, fireworks at Tillicum Park
Education, enforcement
Crain said if police officers find someone in violation with fireworks, they plan to use incidents as teaching moments.
“Days leading up to the Fourth, our folks will be doing a lot of education,” Crain said.
“If we really feel a situation is egregious enough, we have the right to ticket an observable evidence and actions.”
Sgt. Dave Campbell reaffirmed this saying “as always, voluntary compliance is best for our community and visitors.”
Sequim Police Department’s enforcement options for firework violations, include, verbal warnings, seizure of fireworks, referral of criminal charges and/or a physical arrest, he said.
Under the city’s Municipal Code, residents found illegally shooting fireworks could face a gross misdemeanor fine up to $5,000 or up to 364 days in jail.
Campbell said Sequim hasn’t adopted a civil infraction for fireworks violations.
Police officers plan to do additional outreach with fireworks vendors to remind customers about the ban in city limits, Crain said.
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Matthew Nash is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. Reach him at mnash@sequimgazette.com.
Reporter Jesse Major contributed to this report.
