Fireworks snitches wanted: Des Moines offers tips to help police
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Fireworks destroyed two glass panels at Des Moines Central Library in 2022, costing around $20,000 to replace. Photo: Jason Clayworth/Axios
Des Moines is helping residents become fireworks finks by offering tips on how to report, testify against, and assist in convicting those who use them illegally.
Why it matters: City leaders are facing a frustrating dilemma — they must legally allow fireworks on certain days due to a new state law, while also dealing with hundreds of resident complaints, persistent property damage, and limited resources to enforce violations each year.
Driving the news: On Monday, the City Council voted to allow fireworks during certain times to celebrate the Fourth of July and New Year's.
Context: The city was one of several metro cities that had year-round personal fireworks bans until the Legislature took precedence over its authority this year.
Flashback: Police have long warned that widespread enforcement is impractical and that it can take police hours to respond to complaints.
- Only a few tickets have been issued in recent years, mainly because securing a conviction requires a witness who can identify perpetrators and is also willing to provide testimony.
What they're saying: Among the most significant concerns is damage to Des Moines parks, Councilperson Joe Gatto said during this week's council meeting.
- Mayor Connie Boesen said the city is also working to help the public understand what they should do to assist police in issuing a citation.
Zoom in: Videos of incidents are valuable, but sharing them on social media alone is insufficient for a conviction, Sgt. Paul Parizek tells Axios.
- If an officer does not witness a violation, the department needs a complainant who will make themselves available for court hearings if needed, he said.
The intrigue: Generally, law enforcement can write citations up to a year after an illegal fireworks event, allowing time for investigations, Parizek said.
- The City Council reduced fines from $625 to $200 last year to better align with consequences in other metro cities.
What's next: DSM's ordinance now permits fireworks on private property from 9am-10pm on July 3; 9am-11pm on July 4; and 9am to midnight on Dec. 31.
