"The state law allows cities and townships the ability to restrict some uses in their communities. Like Muskegon Heights already did, municipalities can establish an ordinance to ban the use of the consumer fireworks throughout the year, except for 30 days covering national holidays and the day before and after them." http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2012/07/fireworks_law_sparks_complaint.html#incart_river_default

I agree as well. Not only it a nuisance, those that are firing off these fireworks are leaving their spent shells on the sidewalks, streets and parking lots. The bottle rockets and other fireworks that can be launched you find those spent shells and sticks in your yard, in your neighbors yard, garden, roof tops and in the parks. Walking through Cavanaugh Park you wouldn't believe the trash left in the park or where it has landed in the park from those that play with these nuisances. Just watching on our street you see young kids (age 10 - 11) unsupervised shooting off these things from the time they get up in the morning till the wee hours of the morning. I have witnessed this and tire of it as well. To find the the remnants of my neighbors fireworks in my yard, flower gardens and the park behind me actually disgust me and don't understand how they can afford to waste money in this manner for the past 6 weeks and for the next several weeks. It needs to be stopped and some type of enforcement, especially for not supervising minors.

Looks like we need to start to lobby for a similar ordinance as Muskegon Heights. Along with one like Delta Township has for panhandlers/begging. Lansing is so reactive. We need progressive leadership like these other communities that seem to have a higher level of respect for the citizens they serve.

Thank you, Ken. There has been a complete lack of discretion exhibited by people enjoying their newly found "freedom". The Muskegon ordinance likely will become commonplace in many municipalities, as well it should. Whatever cash was gained for the state budget was likely nullified by emergency room visits and calls to local authorities and fire/ambulance services, as a result of the de-regulation/change in state law.

It is simple. Sure, an individual has the right to celebrate how they want in a manner that they choose. If you want to play loud music go right ahead. However, when an individuals right to celebrate impedes my right to enjoy the quiet solitude of my sanctuary then that beyond an individuals right to blow off fireworks until I finally pass out from exhaustion by two in the morning.
If an individual wants to take a chance on blowing their fingers off then please do so. If an individual wants to burn their house down with excessive explosive fireworks then please do. However, I like my fingers. I like my house the way that it is and not scorched.
This individual would like the exercise his right to quiet after 11pm. Yep, I'll give an individual to 11pm to make noise then all I ask is for my right for peaceful slumber to be recognized.
It is my strong opinion that this first year of allowing individuals to legally obtain and use fireworks that leave the ground has increased the noise activity associated with those individuals that do this type of activity. It is my strong opinion that it is an unsafe practice. And I find it extremely ironic that the provision that allows this is entitled: Michigan Fireworks Safety Act.

They still have to follow local noise ordinances...call the police!

In case anyone need it, here's the fireworks law broken down to plain English:

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/msp/MSP_Legal_Update_No._98_390339_7.pdf

It's pretty crazy. People just don't have any respect for their fellow neighbor.

--Ron
www.oldeverett.org

Thanks Ron. I've heard that Lansing did something about this but I can find nothing online. Looking at the law, at least if they decide to pop them off in the street they can be busted. Last I checked streets are still "public property." "prohibits a person from
igniting, discharging, or using consumer
fireworks on public property, school
property, church property, or another
person’s property without that organization’s
or person’s express permission. A person
who violates this subsection is responsible
for a state civil infraction."

The Public Safety Committee of City Council is looking into to this matter. There are other municipalities who have passed ordinances dealing with Fireworks and will keep you informed as we get more information.

Thanks Carol. Looking forward to City of Lansing fixing this ridiculous state law ASAP. It has been quieter last week or so but they still go off now and then. The way things have been in Lansing this summer its hard to know if its a shot gun blast or just some idiot with a mortar.

It has been so beastly humid that most nights the windows are closed and the ac is on but what makes me nervous about the late night fireworks afficienados is that my neighborhood has the humongous tall trees that shelter us and lay over the street lanes and with as dry as it has become I always feel like I need to sit up and watch to make sure they haven't set something on fire that they aren't paying attention to.Even if they manage to move to their own back yards...still got tall trees which are still going to be near another resident's house...there just is NO safe place for fire works in many of our older neighborhoods.I'd like to see a NEW fireworks ban put into place..something that addresses what is being sold today and not what we grew up with and more importantly...wording about neighborhoods where fireworks ANYTIME just isn't a great or safe idea.They set them off in most areas either on the water or in the water..they DON'T set off city fireworks in the midst of neighborhood trees and homes..something our "amateurs" are just not grasping.There must be a way to incorporate wording about proximity to homes and large overhanging trees.

Closing this unless I hear too many bangs too often or too late again. Thanks.

@Ken..did you notice that ELansing has put together a much more restrictive fireworks code..only one day before and after certain holidays.Of course they also have a police dept that WILL follow up and ticket the miscreants..something OUR police department just has NO time for since the City appears to NOT need the money collected for these types of tickets...go figure.