Aberdeen Police department receives 44 fireworks calls, issues one citation

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Aberdeen American News)- During the Fourth of July weekend, the Aberdeen Police Department took 44 calls related to fireworks.

That’s the word from Capt. Tanner Jondahl, who said one citations was issued.

From the calls, police officers issued 17 warnings. The citation was for a fireworks violation. In town, many fireworks are prohibited by city ordinance. In 26 of the 44 calls, officers were unable to locate the fireworks or people responsible for them, Jondahl said.

In Aberdeen, fireworks such as sparklers and types that are purchased at big box stores like Walmart and Menards are legal. Bigger fireworks aren’t.

“The vast majority of the time, people weren’t aware that you can’t do that in town or they were confused … Because some things are allowed in town and some things aren’t,” Jondahl said.

While he couldn’t give total figures, he said that this year saw more calls than previous years.

“I think part of it is we kind of tried to get ahead of it a little bit with our social media to remind people that fireworks aren’t allowed in town (with) the city ordinance, so I think that kind of refreshed people’s memories and maybe increased the amount of calls,” Jondahl said.

He also said that things went smoothly at Wylie Park last weekend and was pleased with the turnout for the community fireworks display.