Police respond to fireworks in Columbia neighborhoods

Last night Columbia police responded to ten calls for firework complaints, which some neighbors confused for gun shots at first. Police have received even more reports since Saturday.

It’s a common mistake, but a call for hearing gun shots is handled differently than a fireworks complaint. Police encourage using the non-emergency line when reporting fireworks. That number is: (573) 442-6131

Jessi Botkins, who lives in an area where fireworks were set off last night, said, “there have been times where I’ve thought maybe it’s gunshots until I realize it’s fireworks when it goes off repeatedly.”