PIERRE, S.D. (KCCR) – The Pierre City Commission heard from at least one resident in person who did not care for the city’s temporary suspension of fireworks ordinances on July 3-4. Larry Lantz used the public comment period of Tuesday night’s Pierre City Commission meeting to express his frustration.
The City Commission voted to approve the temporary suspension of areal fireworks on July 3–4 from 10 a.m. to midnight both days. Lantz says he did call Pierre police to report the issue.
Mayor Steve Harding informed Lantz the fireworks change was a one-time exception.
When approving the suspension of the fireworks ordinances many Commissioners said they would not be inclined to suspend the ordinance again if too many complaints were made. Harding says many residents followed the rules appropriately and thanked Commissioners for allowing fireworks in town. Pierre Police took 64 calls for fireworks from June 29–July 5 with two citations written for violations.
From 2015 to 2019 Pierre Police received 97 calls about fireworks with one citation issued. One person was cited for using fireworks after the designated time in the 1800 block of East Park and the other for using fireworks on public property in the 2400 block of East Sully Avenue.
(Fireworks calls from 2015 to 2020)
- (2015: 14 calls, no citations)
- (2016: 37 calls, no citations)
- (2017: 18 calls, no citations)
- (2018: 16 calls , no citations)
- (2019: 12 calls, one citation)
- (2020: 64 calls, two citations)