GENERAL FIREWORKS INFORMATION Grand Rapids Police Deparment The new State law prohibits the following uses

of consumer fireworks : Igniting, discharging, or using consumer fireworks on public property, school property, church property, or the property of another person without that organization or persons express permission to use those fireworks on those premises; MCL 28.462(1) Selling consumer fireworks to a minor; MCL 28.462(2) Using consumer fireworks or low-impact fireworks while under the influence of alcoholic liquor, a controlled substance, or a combination of alcoholic liquor and a controlled substance; MCL 28.462(3)

The new City ordinance does not regulate display fireworks, such as those used at large community events like the Fourth of July and Celebration on the Grand. No changes have been made, which impact those community fireworks displays. The new City ordinance also does not regulate low impact fireworks or novelties. Examples of low impact fireworks include smoke devices, ground sparkling devices, sparkling wheel devices, and ground based or handheld sparklers. Examples of novelty fireworks include sparklers, snakes, smoke balls, party poppers, and snappers / pop drops.

Important Note: While the State law makes it illegal to sell consumer fireworks to minors, it does not make it illegal for minors to possess, ignite, discharge, or use consumer fireworks. The State law provides that cities have authority to pass an ordinance that generally regulates the use of consumer fireworks. However, the State law provides that cities DO NOT have the authority to pass or enforce an ordinance that regulates use of consumer fireworks on the day preceding, the day of, or the day after a national holiday. The new City ordinance completely bans the ignition, discharge, or use of consumer fireworks in the City of Grand Rapids 335 days per year all days except the days preceding, the day of, or the day after a national holiday. The new City ordinance goes into effect on July 1, 2012.

After July 1, 2012 : If it is NOT a protected holiday, meaning the day preceding, the day of, or the day after a national holiday, any citizen hearing fireworks may call the Grand Rapids Police Department non-emergency number, 456-3400, to report this illegal activity. The GRPD can investigate for City Ordinance and State law violations, depending on available personnel resources. If it IS a protected holiday, meaning the day preceding, the day of, or the day after a national holiday, any citizen hearing fireworks may call the Grand Rapids Police Department non-emergency number, 456-3400, to report this activity. The GRPD can investigate for state law violations, depending on available personnel resources. As it is currently unclear, the City of Grand Rapids will be requesting that the Michigan Attorney General issue an opinion as to whether the Citys Noise Ordinance can be used to regulate the ignition, discharge and use of fireworks on protected holiday days.