The Owensboro Police Department has received multiple calls of fireworks being used in the city of Owensboro. Between Friday, July 1 and Tuesday, July 5, there were a total of 60 fireworks complaints.
As a reminder, here are the rules that govern the use of fireworks within the city limits:
- Fireworks may only be used between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
- Fireworks may be used between 10:00 a.m. and Midnight on:
- December 31st through January 1st
- July 3rd
- July 4th
- Memorial Day
- The date set by the city commission as the date to celebrate Independence Day
- ???? No person may use fireworks if they are
- Under the age of 18
- Within 200 feet of any structure
- Within 200 feet of any vehicle (operational or non-operational)
- Within 200 feet of any other person
- Or where the use (fireworks) of such places that person in violation of any other law, regulation, or ordinance
Although using fireworks may seem like harmless fun, there have been instances where large fireworks have been intentionally directed towards persons and property, including police officers; damage and injuries have occurred as a result. These actions have the potential of taking what otherwise would be a city ordinance violation punishable as a misdemeanor and turning them into felony crimes.
During two notable responses by OPD to calls for service in the area of Kendall-Perkins Park on Tuesday, July 5th, (12:39 a.m. and 11:25 p.m.) officers were faced with large crowds of people gathering while fireworks were being used by a few, in unsafe manners that were in direct opposition of the city ordinance. Multiple arrests were made in these instances, with several of the charges being felonies.
In an attempt to keep these types of dangerous activities from occurring in the future, the Owensboro Police Department wants to inform the public that the below list of charges are potential results of such actions:
- Fireworks Use in City Limits – City Ordinance Violation (Fine)
- Parental Responsibility for Minors – City Ordinance Violation (Fine)
- Failure to Disperse – Class B Misdemeanor
- Disorderly Conduct, 2nd Degree – Class B Misdemeanor
- Disorderly Conduct, 1st Degree – Class A Misdemeanor
- Wanton Endangerment, 2nd Degree – Class A Misdemeanor
- Wanton Endangerment, 1st Degree – Class D Felony
Enjoy your fireworks, but please do so within the constraints of local law.
Owensboro, KY Code of Ordinances:
Chapter 10, Article IV, Section 10-64 and 10-68
