Fireworks prohibited inside city limits
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, July 1, 2003
Fourth of July revelers will have to celebrate the holiday without fireworks inside Troy's city limits.
The sale and firing of fireworks in Troy is illegal, according to Section 10-6 of the Troy Code, which contains all the city ordinances.
"The number one reason is safety," said Troy Police Department spokesman Benny Scarbrough. "There are a lot of hazards connected with fireworks especially with fire."
According to the city ordinance, which are the city's laws, it is unlawful for any person to sell fireworks or display fireworks in the city limits, and it's unlawful for a person to discharge or fire them.
The ordinance does not govern the area outside of the city limits, but within the police jurisdiction.
However, fireworks may be shot outside the city limits, according to the Pike County Sheriff's Department.
The ordinance defines fireworks as "firecrackers, torpedoes, bomb, or other fireworks of an explosive nature."
Scarbrough said the ordinance wouldn't apply to a "sparkler," but recommended caution to those who might use them.
"The danger in sparklers are the extreme heat they produce," he said.
There are penalties for anyone breaking the provisions of the ordinance.
An adult could be issued a citation and could be fined up to $500 plus mandated court costs of $137, Scarbrough said.
Children under the age of 18 could have a petition filed against them in juvenile court. A juvenile court judge would then make a determination of delinquency and decide the appropriate sentencing.
An additional charge for an adult providing minors with fireworks could also stem from the infraction.
"An adult could be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and that charge carries jail time," Scarbrough said.
"The bottom line is the safety of individuals and it's property safety," Scarbrough said.