HomeMy WebLinkAbout1678RESOLUTION NO. I /p 7 8'
A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City
of Kent, Washington, relating to fireworks safety,
education, and enforcement.
RECITALS
A. The illegal use of fireworks puts a strain on the resources of the City's
police and fire departments. For example, statistics show that while the illegal use of
fireworks constitutes a negligible percentage of calls to the police for most of the year,
calls regarding fireworks constitutes sixteen percent (16%) of police calls the nine (9)
days preceding July 4th and thirty-four percent (34%) of police calls on July 4th.
B. Each year, there are numerous instances of airborne fireworks being
launched at homes, vehicles, and people. Moreover, the unsafe use of fireworks
imperils people and property; for example, forty-two ( 42) Kent citizens were displaced
from their apartments in 2003 due to the reckless use of fireworks.
C. In August 2003, the City commissioned a study which found that forty-
three percent (43%) of those surveyed were strongly in favor of a fireworks ban, and
thirteen percent (13%) were somewhat in favor of a ban. The study also found that
fourteen percent (14%) of those surveyed were somewhat against a ban, wh1le
seventeen percent ( 17%) were strongly against a ban.
I Fireworks -Educate, Enforce,
and Encourage Responsibility
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENT,
WASHINGTON, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
RESOLUTION
SECTION 1. -Education. The City Council resolves to educate Kent citizens
regardmg the danger of fireworks. The City will take steps to educate Kent citizens to
help them better identify the difference between legal and illegal fireworks and the time
in which the use of legal fireworks is permitted.
SECTION 2. -Enforcement. The City Council hereby requests that the Mayor
direct the police department to aggressively enforce the laws that prohibit the use of
illegal fireworks and the use of fireworks at inappropriate times.
SECTION 3. -Encouragement. The City Council encourages the public to use
fireworks in a legal, safe, and responsible manner.
SECTION 4. -Amnesty. The City Council hereby requests that the Mayor
direct the police and fire departments to develop an amnesty program that will allow
citizens to turn m illegal fireworks to City fire stations without penalty.
SECTION 5. -Effective Date. This resolution shall take effect and be in force
immediately upon its passage.
PASS ED at a regular open public meeting by the City Council of the Ctty of
Kent, Washington, this /.,;C day of June, 2004.
2004.
CONCURRED in by the Mayor of the City of Kent this I ,A.):: day of June,
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2 Fireworks -Educate, Enforce,
and Encourage Responsibility
ATTEST:
.d, .... d.....,~ BRENDAJACOBER,CI~LERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
TOM BRUBAKER, CITY ATTORNEY
I hereby certifY that this is a true and correct copy of Resolution No.
/ IP 7 R passed by the City Council of the City of Kent, Washington, the I Af day of
June, 2004.
3 Fireworks -Educate, Enforce,
and Encourage Responsibility