photo by Hannah Reel

Jake’s/Louisiana Fireworks employee William Baker takes inventory of the shipment of fireworks that arrived to the store’s location on U.S. 61 North Friday afternoon.

Area residents must follow local firework regulations

By Vershal Hogan (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Saturday, June 27, 2009

NATCHEZ — Fireworks stands have been popping up across the Miss-Lou landscape for the last couple of weeks, but before striking a match to that first fuse and exploding things to celebrate America’s birth, residents should be aware of their local laws.

Residents of Natchez and Vidalia are under the strictest guidelines — no firecrackers, any time, any place.

In Natchez, that rule is in place because of the guidelines defining “disturbing the peace,” and in Vidalia it’s because of a city ordinance specifically pertaining to firecrackers.

But both are admittedly lax about enforcing the ban.

“In the 22 years I know of, we have never issued a citation for fireworks,” Natchez Police Capt. Tom McGehee said.

In Vidalia, the police have an unofficial policy to let the violations slide within certain hours.

“As a city, we oblige the people the day before and the day of July 4,” Police Chief Ronnie G. “Tapper” Hendricks said. “Regardless of the day, however, we shut it down at midnight.”

That approach to fireworks within the city limits does come with some conditions, however.

“You have neighborhoods where people don’t mind (fireworks), but there are parts of town where they will complain,” Hendricks said. “If we get a complaint, we shut it down.”

In Ferriday, things are a little more straightforward — fireworks are allowed from July 1 through 5.

On each of those days citizens are expected to stop the exploding of fireworks at 10 p.m., except July 4, when they are given until 1 a.m.

In the unincorporated areas of Adams County and Concordia Parish, there are no restrictions on when or where firecrackers can be fired.

However, Concordia Parish Police Jury President Melvin Ferrington said he wants people to be aware of their surroundings because of the statewide burn ban due to the dry weather.

“We have no intention of banning fireworks in Concordia Parish, but I would advise everybody to be very particular about where they shoot firecrackers and how they shoot firecrackers,” Ferrington said.

Adams County Sheriff Angie Brown also requested revelers be considerate of their neighbors.

“We ask that you don’t do (firecrackers) late at night while people are trying to sleep,” Brown said.