Police crack down on illegal fireworks
from the Lake Saint Louis Police Department
June 18, 2009
Lake Saint Louis, MO
The Lake Saint Louis Police Department reminds residents that except for authorized professional pyrotechnics displays conducted under the supervision of the police and fire departments, fireworks are prohibited within the city limits. For the third consecutive year, the agency will be paying increased attention to violators.
“Every year people are injured and property is damaged because of individuals setting off fireworks,” said Chief Michael Force. “It’s our duty to enforce the ordinance and citizen cooperation is critical to ensure public safety. Illegal fireworks will be confiscated as contraband.”
Chief Force declined to comment with regard to whether citations would be issued to offenders from whom fireworks are confiscated, but added that the circumstances and severity of the violation would be considered.
The Lake Saint Louis City Code prohibits the sale, transfer, use, discharge, ignition, lighting, marketing, displaying, or possession of fireworks in the City at any time. The term “fireworks,” as defined by the ordinance, includes such devices as sparklers, fountains, torches, ground spinners, roman candles, toy canons, bottle rockets, skyrockets, firecrackers, chasers, and missile-type rockets. Also included in the definition are pipe bombs, mines, shells, blank cartridges and other forms of pyrotechnic and explosive devices.
In short, any individual who possesses or ignites any form of explosive or pyrotechnic device is in violation of the ordinance. Contact the Lake Saint Louis Police Department at 625-8018 if you need assistance identifying or disposing of fireworks.
The only exception provided for in the ordinance is an authorized public demonstration display, such as the one being produced by the Lake Saint Louis Ambassadors in cooperation with the Community Association and the City of Lake Saint Louis. This professionally planned and executed display continues a long and memorable tradition of fireworks spectaculars presented for the enjoyment of the community. By making this event the focal point of the Independence Day celebration, residents encourage compliance with the City’s ordinances and ensure a safer, more enjoyable holiday for all.
The Lake Saint Louis Fire Protection District and the Lake Saint Louis Police Department are working very closely to ensure a safe and secure environment for the celebration and pyrotechnics display. Police advise that Lake Saint Louis Boulevard will be closed from the Bent Oak Cutoff to the western end of the spillway bridge from 8:00 a.m. on July 4 and will remain closed until setup, execution and cleanup of the pyrotechnics display has been completed and the area has been cleared by the fire department.
Editor’s note: To contribute to the 4th of July Fireworks show put on by the City and the Community Association, send your donation to: LSL Ambassadors Fireworks Fund, 100 Cognac Court, Lake Saint Louis, MO 63367.
Copyright 2009 Neighbors About Town
