Updated: March 30, 2019
During my city council campaign in Summer-Fall 2017, the new fireworks law and its effects on Cedar Falls residents came up frequently during my doorknocking. Based on the input I received then, and from the information I've obtained since then (from residents, Cedar Falls Police, fireworks dealers, and policymakers), here's my position on the use of fireworks within city limits:
- A LIMITED WINDOW. At the time, I supported city staff's Fall 2017 recommendation to limit fireworks use to July 2, 3 and 4 and noon to midnight Dec. 31. I'm not a consumer fireworks fan myself, but I do appreciate that fireworks are part of our national culture, and in much of the country, they're used responsibly to mark the celebration of Independence Day and the arrival of the new year. I believe that a limited window is the best compromise between residents who wish to use consumer fireworks and residents who are troubled by fireworks for a variety of reasons. [3/30 - In February, Waterloo switched from a complete ban to a limited window -- noon to 10pm on July 3rd and 5th, and noon to 11pm on July 4th...with no provision for New Year's Eve. I believe their window is reasonable.]
- A BAN ON THE USE OF AERIALS. The safety complaints about consumer fireworks were directed at the use of aerials (like skyrockets and bottle rockets), which landed on residents' roofs and surrounding properties. Arials leave behind a rocket casing and balsa wood guiding stick; they're largely uncontrollable and so are a threat/nuisance to surrounding properties. They simply aren't appropriate for use within city limits. Mortars (which shoot pyrotechnic into the air and result in some paper confetti-type debris but not solid plastic or wood) should still be allowed.
- INCREASED FINES. To deter use of fireworks outside the legal window, City Council should discuss an increase in the minimum fines for violators. I don't believe the current $250 is high enough to make potential violators pause; I don't know the more appropriate dollar figure, and would leave it to council to decide, based on comparable data from other kinds of municipal infractions. A higher fine would be a stronger deterrent. [3/30 - Last month Waterloo increased its fines...might make sense to match ours to theirs]
- UNIFORM EDUCATION / WARNING. Fireworks tents are currently not required to provide any information to consumers about the nature of the laws or the penalties for violating them. At least one resident believed that, since the fireworks are legal for sale, they must be able to use them. To rectify this lack of standard information, I believe City Council should discuss requiring dealers post a large (perhaps 36x48) city-approved placard at their tent point-of-sale which clearly states the ordinances and penalties for violation.
- MATCHING CEDAR FALLS / WATERLOO ORDINANCES. One of the most important considerations for fireworks is that, owing to their proximity and shared neighborhoods, Waterloo and Cedar Falls should ideally have matching ordinances. It would behoove the Cedar Falls and Waterloo City Councils to discuss this ordinance in joint session, and to ideally approve matching ordinances. While this isn't a 'must', I believe that enforcement would be far simpler if both cities shared the same ordinance, and we should pursue this possibility. [3/30 - In February, Waterloo switched from a ban to a limited window -- noon to 10pm on July 3rd and 5th, and noon to 11pm on July 4th]
Fireworks are part of our national heritage, and if used responsibly and lawfully, I believe we can preserve the rights of fireworks proponents while respecting the concerns of opponents. Neighborly consideration and safe practices would ensure that a ban is unnecessary in Cedar Falls, and I hope that we can reach a workable community consensus in the coming years.