Hot Topic: Muskego's Fireworks Rules Will Get Another Look

The debate over Muskego's fireworks ordinance hasn't died down. 
 
Muskego aldermen will revisit the issue later this year as some residents continue to call for restrictions on the use of personal fireworks—if not an outright ban.

At a Public Safety Committee meeting Wednesday, multiple residents said fireworks continue to be a problem, with debris landing on or near homes and people.

Alderman Rob Glazier, however, said he believes the city has to show fireworks are a problem in the community before changing the rules, and he was skeptical this summer proved that.

The Muskego Police Department received 21 fireworks complaints this summer, Glazier said. Of those, police found only five instances of people who did not have the proper permits. A total of 101 fireworks permits were pulled.

"If we get into a discussion about whether or not to allow fireworks or what we want to do with the policy, we really have to have people point out real problems," he said Wednesday.

The community debated fireworks at length last year, and council members even considered holding a referendum. 

Citing safety concerns, the police and fire chiefs have both recommended banning fireworks, as many neighboring communities have done.

"This is a very difficult thought process for everyone involved, because we are allowing people to launch flaming objects into the air. And sometimes they come down. Sometimes people are not as safe as we would like them to be," Glazier said.

"However, it is such a part of the culture in our community that it's not something we would take lightly, in terms of banning."

In lieu of banning, Muskego could make its ordinance more stringent. The city could put limitations on when fireworks could be used or how far away they have to be from a home, for example. 

The Muskego Common Council will discuss possible ordinance changes after it gets through 2014 budget discussions, which will be in October.

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