Community Corner

Boom! How Are Ferndale Residents Handling Fireworks Season?

Take our poll and tell us how you feel about personal fireworks use and the new fireworks law.

Flash! Bang! Screech! Boom!

If you haven't been in bed early every night this past week with earplugs on, you're likely familiar with the new sounds of Independence Day.

As part of , municipalities cannot regulate fireworks use on federal holidays – such as July 4 – or the day right before and after.

Find out what's happening in Ferndalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Legislators passed the change to generate sales tax revenue and registration fees. Ferndale City Council then passed an ordinance that prohibits the use of fireworks except on the days already allowed by the state law.

"Now people can shoot much bigger ones than Michigan ever allowed to be sold," said Ferndale Fire Chief Kevin Sullivan.

That's a , especially with the smaller lot sizes in the city. "I can fire an average firework but it ain't going to land on my property," he said, pointing out that even smaller fireworks have started house fires. "There's the concern for us."

Find out what's happening in Ferndalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Find out .

What do you think?

Some Ferndale residents say the restriction on days fireworks can legally be used hasn't stopped the sights and sounds of fireworks in their neighborhoods on other days. Here's what some Patch readers recently had to say about the issue:

  • Daniel: "Tired of my neighbors thinking it's OK to fire explosives into my back yard.."
  • Don: Seems like people do as the wish when it comes to lighting of fireworks. Where is the Ferndale Police at when M80's are going off, bottle rockets, fireworks, and etc. They haven been going off for a week now between Livernois and Pinecrest. Nothing is done about it."
  • Katie: It doesn't bother me (& if the legalized sale helps bring much needed revenue to the state/cities, even better!), but my dog isn't happy; however, even the little ones of last year bothered him!
  • A Scott: "Well obviously no one East of Woodward between 9 Mile Road and 8 Mile Road knows the laws as fireworks have been going off in the area of Jewell Street since two weeks ago some going as long at midnight and beyond."
  • Shawn: "I do think that people or persons lighting of fire works that leave the ground should be held accountable for any damage to others property. The problem would be I guess is how to prove who actual did it."
  • Stacey: "Um, not so happy when it's four or five days before the 4th and people are setting off mortars at one in the morning. At least have some common courtesy!"

What do you think? Have you been bothered by fireworks going off in your neighborhood? Do you like the new fireworks law, or do you prefer things the way they used to be?


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