Elyria designates officers for fireworks complaints

ELYRIA, Ohio (WJW) — The city of Elyria is designating police officers to enforce its
fireworks ordinance.

According to the city ordinance, fireworks can be set off on July 4, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fireworks are not allowed outside of that time.

According to Mayor Kevin Brubaker, two police officers will start enforcing the ordinance Tuesday night through mid-July.

“The officers will work overtime shifts and are dedicated exclusively to resident complaints,” said Brubaker.

Elyria police Sgt. James Welsh said, “We’ve had a lot of calls of people shooting off fireworks — specifically last weekend we had over a dozen calls on Friday evening.”

The penalty for violating the fireworks policy is up to six months in jail and an up to $1,000 fine.

Welsh said the fireworks task force will be out every night except for the allowed time on July 4.

Meanwhile, safety officials remind residents with complaints to call the police department’s non-emergency lines at 440-323-3302 and to only call 911 in the event of an emergency.

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