Alliance City Council proposes restrictions on fireworks

Tino Bovenzi
·2 min read
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ALLIANCE, Ohio (WJW) – Alliance City Council is proposing big changes ahead of the summer holiday season where people typically celebrate with fireworks.

Due to excessive celebrations carrying long into the night when people are trying to sleep, an ordinance was introduced to reduce fireworks holidays from nine to five.

“It’s taken a toll on dogs and residents, to a degree here,” Alliance Safety Service Director Mike Dreger said. “There’s a lot of holidays on there. So, when you get to when you add the extended days that they get, I mean, it’s going on 20, 30 days a year and a lot of hours. And it’s just, there’s worrisome residents from this.”

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The state of Ohio enacted a new law in 2022 allowing residents to set off fireworks on nine holidays during the year, including the weekend before and after Independence Day.

Under the proposal, residents would be allowed to set off fireworks within city limits on five dates:

  • The Sunday before Memorial Day weekend from 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

  • July 4th from 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

  • The Sunday before Labor Day from 8 p-m to 11:59 p.m.

  • New Year’s Eve from 8 p-m to 11:59 p.m., extending one hour into New Year’s Day from 12 a.m. to 1 a.m.

“I think it’s a great thing,” Alliance resident Karen Difloure said. “I think that people should be able to enjoy themselves, set off the fireworks, but there has to be a limit. I personally have a dog who has fits. It’s painful for her to have to go through that on a daily basis. And I know there’s a lot of people with PTSD and affects their lives.”

Under the proposal, anyone who violates the ordinance would be found guilty of a minor misdemeanor. Alliance police say that will be enforced by citation.

“Unless you’re intoxicated or there’s a risk of harm to other people it’s an M3. Other than that, it’s a minor misdemeanor,” Alliance Police Chief Akenra X said.

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Chief X also explained that it would be illegal for anyone under 18 to set off fireworks in the city. He said there will be no grace given for violations.

“There’s not going to be a lenience with it,” he said. “We’ve had complaints about the fireworks and the effect it has on animals and people trying to get to sleep to go to work the next day. And so, we’re concerned about that. And we want to make sure that we keep those residents happy.”

Alliance City Council will vote on the ordinance in mid-June. If passed, it will take effect 30 days after.

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