With the Fourth of July holiday approaching, people in Sioux City neighborhoods can hear some people shooting off fireworks ahead of the legally set period for doing that in city limits.
A few years ago, previously banned fireworks in the state of Iowa became legal over days preceding the holiday.
In Sioux City, fireworks are only permitted on July 3 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on July 4 from 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.
A Sioux City Police Department officer told Siouxland Public Media News that nine fireworks complaints had been filed from June to June 23.
Officer Roberts said he expects “the calls will amp up… as it gets closer to the 4th.”
The Crime Prevention Office is urging residents to respect their neighbors as the sound of fireworks can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder for veterans and cause pets to become anxious.
Discharging fireworks in a public park in Sioux City, on city owned property, or on a public street or alley is prohibited. A $500 simple misdemeanor fine can be assessed.
Also concerning fireworks, officials in the Black Hills area of South Dakota are reminding people of fire danger from fireworks.
South Dakota Public Broadcasting notes that although drought conditions have eased, the threat of wildfires remains, with drought conditions ranging from moderate to extreme.
With a particularly heavy tourist load expected for the America 250 celebration, Pennington County Sheriff’s Deputy Hunter Rice said there will be extra patrols to monitor fireworks.
Hunter said, “Fireworks are dangerous to be around, they have the potential to start fires.” Specifically, people in the Black Hills Fire Protection District aren’t allowed to discharge any fireworks at all.
