Although fireworks sales were allowed within the city limits of Carroll, the city ordinance banning use remained in effect. So though they could be purchased here, they had to be taken out of town and used only on private property. Police Chief, Brad Burke, says that the first year of the newly signed law has resulted in a dramatic increase in complaints.
Burke says those ignoring the city-wide ban are not just a nuisance, they are interfering with the authorities normal duties.
There was one reported fireworks-related injury in Carroll County over the holiday, but none within Carroll. And even though there were no reported injuries this time, Burke says whatever the council decides to do with the ordinance in the future, his department will be enforcing and citing under the full extent of the law.
Burke adds the majority of those calls have come in over the last week, and his officers can’t run from fireworks call to fireworks call, it is just not feasible. Quite frankly, he said, it is difficult staffing for something like this and it takes his officers away from other serious duties, like keeping drunk drivers off the roadways.
