As Fourth holiday nears, fireworks enforcement heats up

VIRGINIA BEACH

Parents would never hand a child a 1,200-degree piece of burning metal.

But that's exactly what they're doing when they light sparklers for their kids for July Fourth celebrations, said Battalion Chief Tim Riley, a spokesman for the Fire Department.

"A lot of people think they're innocent," he said, "but really, it's burning metal."

That's why the sparkling wands are among the illegal fireworks officials will be confiscating this weekend. The goal is to prevent fires and injuries, not to spoil people's Independence Day events, Riley said.

"We want people to have a fun, safe time," he said. "But they need to realize the dangers of the fireworks they're dealing with."

Most fireworks, except small items such as poppers, are banned within city limits. They're also illegal without a permit throughout the rest of Hampton Roads and in parts of northeastern North Carolina. In Hampton Roads, only Hampton allows sparklers.

Virginia Beach outlawed the pyrotechnic devices about 15 years ago but began heating up enforcement measures in 2007 after residents complained about violations, said acting Fire Marshal Capt. Terrence Tassone.

And this year will be the city's biggest crackdown yet, he said.

There will be seven checkpoints where police officers and officials from the fire marshal's office will ask residents to turn over any illegal fireworks, Riley said. Those who comply will not receive a citation, he said.

But those who refuse to fork over their fireworks or are caught lighting them will be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500, Riley said.

Enforcement will largely focus on the Chick's Beach area, Tassone said. Most of the 850 pounds of fireworks confiscated last Fourth of July came from there, he said.

"We have issues all over the city, including in Sandbridge and Croatan, but by far Chick's Beach has been a real problem for us," Tassone said. "The combination of people drinking and using alcohol and fireworks is a bad combination, and that's what we've found a lot of."

Signs posted Wednesday on Interstate 264, Shore Drive and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel warn visitors and remind residents about the ban, he said.

There will also be extra officials on duty to respond to fireworks calls in each of the city's four precincts.

Last July Fourth, illegal fireworks were responsible for 14 fires citywide, Riley said. Beach firefighters also helped extinguish a 500-acre blaze on a farm in Chesapeake that caused $100,000 in damage. It was caused by illegal fireworks.

There will be six legal fireworks shows in the city Saturday - at the Oceanfront, Mount Trashmore, Cavalier Golf and Yacht Club, First Landing State Park, and on 47th and 52nd Streets, Tassone said. They've obtained a permit and will have a fire inspector on-site, he said.

"Fireworks can do a lot of damage to people if they don't know what they're doing," Tassone said. "I just want people to be safe this year."

To report illegal fireworks, call (757)-385-5000, then dial *1.

Kathy Adams, (757) 222-5155, kathy.adams@pilotonline.com