Oshkosh Common Council takes on illegal fireworks

OSHKOSH, WI – (WGBW & WISS) – Fireworks, while a form of celebration and fun for some, can be painful and a nuisance for others including veterans, people with PTSD, people with sensory disorders, and pets. The City of Oshkosh is looking at new ordinances to give teeth to citations for possession and/or setting off illegal fireworks in the city.

At a Common Council meeting last week, the city heard from residents who have been dramatically affected by the use of illegal fireworks set off in the city for weeks before and after the Fourth of July.

Oshkosh Police Chief Dean Smith said it is illegal to possess or set off any fireworks that go up in the air or make loud noises within the city limits.

“The City of Oshkosh has a robust local ordinance that essentially prohibits any fireworks that shoot off in the air,” Smith said. “We do allow the sale and use of novelty fireworks or in other terms, sparklers, toy snakes, smoke bombs, fountains, cones, and spinners. Items that do not shoot off into the air.”

Smith explained to the council that it is difficult to enforce fireworks laws and respond to complaints because perpetrators can’t always be located and other calls may take priority over noise complaints and firework violation complaints. 

The current fine for using or possessing illegal fireworks in the City of Oshkosh comes with a $232 fine and citation. The common council directed city staff to come up with ordinances that would increase the fine for possession of illegal fireworks and the fine for use of illegal fireworks to $1000 per violation. 

In addition to the increased fines, which now goes to the city to change, there will be a PSA campaign about illegal fireworks and the increased fines.

“Giving us the ability to communicate to the community, that this gets very expensive very fast, so don’t even buy the thing,” said Common Council Member Karl Buelow. 

Smith said the use of illegal fireworks in the city already carries inherent consequences, but the addition of a stiff monetary penalty might help.

“Raising the fines, I think, will be helpful and a deterrent because am I going to write a check for $232 or am I going to write a check for 12 hundred dollars? That is is going to deter me from doing something in a bad way,” said Smith.“Shooting fireworks off on a non-sanctioned event has all kinds of consequences – not just dollars.  You may harm yourself. You could lose a finger or two. Or in the case we heard tonight, you could tragically harm somebody with unintended consequences because of other issues they’ve experienced in their life that create even more catastrophic consequences for them that may unseen by others.”

The council took no action on the issue, but will deliberate new ordinances at a future meeting.