As Independence Day celebrations draw closer, local law regarding fireworks remains the same as ever for many in Blount County. But for residents of Alcoa and Maryville, recent changes to the law could mean celebrations are a bit different this year.
Shooting fireworks remains legal in both cities from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 3-4.
Responding to over a hundred complaints about misuse and obnoxious noise during last year’s Fourth of July festivities, officials in Maryville and Alcoa passed regulations restricting fireworks this spring. Although the fireworks themselves will remain legal, both municipalities have raised the purchasing age to 18 and strengthened verbiage around misuse.
In Maryville , the dates to sell fireworks have been chopped to June 25-July 4, matching those passed by its neighbor. Alcoa will also require vendors to post signs with the legal dates and times for discharge, keeping the same dates for sales.
Liability
Alcoa commissioners have discussed in depth the complaints they received from residents, highlighting fireworks wars, pyrotechnics thrown at police and damage to at least one home — during which Alcoa firefighters said they had fireworks thrown at them as well.
Now, the city is warning parents they might be cited if officers find their children misusing fireworks. In a statement on the new regulations posted to social media Monday, June 3, city staff said the Alcoa Police Department will have extra officers on duty this Fourth of July “to ensure proper firework safety and the new protocol is being used.”
“These changes are important to encourage the safe usage of fireworks and protect our residents and their families,” staff wrote.
Alcoa Police Chief David Carswell has said he wanted to have all hands on deck for this year’s holiday since last fall. At least one APD officer’s uniform was singed when someone threw a firework into a group of police last July.
Alcoa has reminded residents not to shoot fireworks within 20 feet of a street or sidewalk. In Maryville, a release from city staff warns citizens not to shoot fireworks anywhere other than private property.
Tony Crisp, police and fire chief for Maryville, urged residents in the release to report violations of city law at the nonemergency number for the Blount County 911 Center.
“Fireworks used in very densely populated areas can result in damage to homes, automobiles, or people,” staff wrote. “In the event fireworks result in damage to another person’s property, those responsible could be subject to civil liability.”
More information on regulations for both cities can be found on the city websites.
Elsewhere
Fireworks regulations remain unchanged outside Alcoa and Maryville, meaning the same rules as last year apply. In Townsend, for example, fireworks remain illegal. In Blount County, Friendsville and Rockford, fireworks remain legal during the holiday.
In Louisville, elected officials are taking steps to legislate fireworks for the first time in the town’s history. Louisville Mayor Jill Pugh said the Board of Mayor and Aldermen will vote on a second reading of a fireworks ordinance Tuesday, June 11.
The ordinance, which closely resembles those of Maryville and Alcoa, bans misuse and also prohibits shooting fireworks on private property without permission from the property owner.
Permissible hours for the Independence Day holiday would be 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. July 1-3 and 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. July 4.
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