Got money to burn?

Unless you’ve got $1,000 to burn, we hope you’ll take a few moments to read this message and help us with an important safety request.

𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀.

The City’s Fireworks Task Force will be out and about this week, monitoring the area and specifically keeping an eye (and ear) out for illegal firework use. There is an automatic citation of $1,000 if you are found using illegal fireworks and officers will not be interested in hearing any excuses.

Maintaining our community safety is priority number one and it’s vital that we all do our part. Over the years, the Fireworks Task Force has helped curb several major medical emergencies and serious house fires, but they need your help since they can’t be everywhere at once.

𝗧𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴:

1. For immediate danger to life or property please, call 911. It is extremely important to understand that dispatch tends to be inundated with calls on the 4^th of July. Please ensure this line is used for emergencies only.
2. To report the use of illegal fireworks as you witness use in progress, please call non-emergency dispatch at 503-655-8211. Even if you don’t know the identity of the person utilizing the illegal fireworks, please be ready to give the location of where the use is happening. We would like to emphasize that officers must witness someone in possession of or actively using illegal fireworks to issue a citation. This can be challenging if the officers are responding to another call and those using illegal fireworks have already dispersed when they arrive.

As a result, it may be BEST to also complete a Report a Concern form to document a complaint about illegal fireworks use. This brief form can be found on the City website at the link below. The Task Force will be monitoring messages throughout the next week, so this method will provide documentation of your concern. Please understand that this method of contact is not intended for immediate response. This method is great for passing along helpful information that the Task Force can follow up on. You can act as a witness and sign a complaint once an officer arrives. Report a Concern Form.

Again, for some individuals such as war veterans, young children, and pets, illegal fireworks are extremely frightening. For property owners, the damage that follows because of a house fire can be financially devastating and for anyone, an injury due to illegal fireworks can be fatal. 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 be respectful of each other and our City.