Misuse of fireworks could result in legal charges, serious injuries
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The misuse of fireworks within city limits is illegal, but according to Columbia Police Dispatch Records nearly 70 fireworks-related calls have been reported in Columbia since June 20.
Sgt. Brian Leer with the Boone County Sheriff’s Department said even though shooting off fireworks is legal within county limits, people must do so responsilbily or they could also face charges.
Under Missouri law, it is illegal to shoot any firework at another person or property. That violation is classified as a Class A misdemeanor which Leer said is the most serious misdemeanor that is out there.
Unreasonably or knowingly disturbing the peace could result in a Class B misdemeanor.
Leer said the department is ready to enforce these violations during the holiday season, even within city limits if the Columbia Police Department needs assistance.
“We're gonna be out in the county neighborhoods," Leer said. "They shouldn't have sustained damage to their property or have their unreasonably disturbed, because people want to be irresponsible with fireworks.”
Leer said not only are these actions against the law but in recent instances fireworks wars in Columbia have involved larger crimes as well.
“It's just dangerous in general," Leer said. "Because if people are bringing guns to those types of activities, they may think they're going to fireworks. It's a recipe for disaster to just even start down that path and that's why we’re going to have a zero tolerance on it.”
Leer mentioned that every year people locally are injured by fireworks, whether that be an eye injury, burn or something more serious.
Leer said when large aerial fireworks that are meant to be lit high in the air are blown up close to people it could cause very serious damage.
"When they're shooting those at each other," Leer said. "You've got the concussion and other injuries that can be caused by that, so it's definitely not safe. You could be seriously or fatally injured with a firework."
The Columbia Police and Fire departments encourage the community to leave fireworks to the professionals, but ask the public to call the Boone County Joint Communications non-emergency line at 3-1-1 for any firework-related complaints.
