Captain Mike Miller of Tacoma Police Department (TPD) is gearing up for a local summer tradition – enforcing the city’s fireworks ban.
He discussed this year’s plans during the May 28 meeting of Tacoma City Council’s Puablic Safety, Human Services and Education Committee.
Mike Miller said in spite of a crackdown the last few summers, July 4-5 is still a time frame where numerous calls are made regarding violations. Portland Avenue Park continues to be a primary problem spot.
TPD and Puyallup Tribal Police Department plan to collaborate in targeting sales of illegal fireworks like M-80s and M-100s. Such items are legally classified as explosives. In the past tribal police officers have gone undercover to stands on the reservation, attempting to purchase illegal fireworks.
“This has its drawbacks, mainly that many of the tribal members working the booths recognize the tribal officers,” Mike Miller said. “The plan this year is to have TPD officers handle this task.”
According to Mike Miller, those caught selling illegal fireworks could have their booth shut down for the remainder of the season. He noted that generally police do not announce undercover operations in advance, but they want to publicize this to discourage those who may be considering selling illicit fireworks.
“This will keep more of the illegal and dangerous fireworks out of our community,” Mike Miller said.
Tribal Police Chief Joe Duenas, Sr. is personally opposed to fireworks and wants to help Tacoma police in their efforts to enforce the city ordinance, he explained.
“Chief Duenas is very much behind us,” Mike Miller said. “It is great to have the cooperation of the Tribe.”
Firecracker Alley, a collection of stands operated by Puyallup Tribal members, is a popular destination this time of year. It opens June 12 and continues until several days after Independence Day. These stands sell the “safe and sane” fireworks legal in many cities in the state, such as sparklers and ground bloom flowers, as well as items that can only be sold on Indian reservations, such as firecrackers and bottle rockets.
Firecracker Alley is located on reservation trust land on Alexander Avenue on the Tideflats, the former home of Emerald Queen Casino. The Tribe will set aside a 3.5-acre site where patrons can legally set off the fireworks they purchase.
While Portland Avenue Park is within the reservation boundaries, this is classified as fee land and thus the city’s fireworks ban applies in the park. On July 5, the Tribe will hold a cleanup effort in collaboration with Metro Parks to remove debris from any fireworks that are set off in the park.
TPD will have officers working overtime July 1-5 to enforce the fireworks ban. Last year, 25 infractions were issued. Mike Miller hopes to double that in 2009.
“We want to send a message to the community that we are serious,” he said.
Last year enforcement cost TPD around $25,000. Mike Miller said that amount should climb to $29,000 this year, in part due to pay increases. Community liaison officers will pay visits to some repeat offenders, he noted.
Firefighters will operate an informational booth at upcoming Tacoma Rainiers games. Messages about the fireworks ban will be displayed on electronic signs on city buildings. “We will do everything we can to get the word out,” Mike Miller remarked.
