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More cities consider fireworks regulations

WEST DES MOINES – You're going to want to hold up on buying those fireworks. Several cities are considering banning them or putting restrictions on ho...
Cities start to discuss fireworks regulations_29277046
WEST DES MOINES – You’re going to want to hold up on buying those fireworks. Several cities are considering banning them or putting restrictions on how you can use them.  Among those cities are West Des Moines and Urbandale.  The city council for both cities have gotten many calls and emails from neighbors about concerns over the legalization of fireworks. They’re hoping by creating restrictions this will help with those issues but most of all with public safety. 

 
“Majority don’t want fireworks. They said there’s enough opportunities to watch fireworks. But there’s a handful of citizens that i’ve heard from that says look I’ve got a right to do this and i’d like to be able to do it in my own yard,”  said Mayor Steve Gaer of West Des Moines.
 
Considering Iowa is a state with severe and windy weather city leaders are worried recreational explosives could be a big threat. The Mayor said, “There’s a huge concern by public safety on fires. There’s years I can remember that the city of West Des Moines did not hold there 4th of July firework show because the weather was too dry.” 
 
The city is considering setting rules as to which days of the year you can use fireworks and possibly setting certain hours which they can be set off.  Other cities like Urbandale are looking to ban them all together. 
 
The city manager, AJ Johnson said, “The council felt that they should be enjoying a show professionally conducted and safety at it’s highest priority. ” However the law doesn’t allow cities to ban fireworks sale so now city managers across the Metro are looking at their zoning plan to determine where they will permit sales. 
 
The Des Moines city council will discuss fireworks limits during a workshop this Thursday. 
Stick with local five for coverage of that meeting. 
 
 

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