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City of Tukwila <br />Allan Ekberg, Mayor <br />TO: <br />INFOR ATI <br />Public Safety Committee <br />FROM: Bruce Linton, Police Chief <br />Jay Wittwer, Fire Chief <br />AL E ORA DU <br />BY: Chris Flores, Assistant Fire Chief <br />CC: Mayor Ekberg <br />DATE: 06/12/19 <br />SUBJECT: 4th of July Fireworks Enforcement Strategy <br />ISSUE <br />Active enforcement of Ordinance 1787, Banning the Discharge of Fireworks within the <br />Corporate Limits of the City of Tukwila, during the week of July 4, 2019. <br />BACKGROUND <br />On 12/09/1996 Council passed Ordinance 1787, banning the discharge of fireworks as <br />described above. In previous years, emphasis patrols staffed by Police and Fire have focused <br />mainly on education and confiscation without pursuing civil penalties on behalf of the city. These <br />emphasis patrols seem to have exacted minimal impact on the use of fireworks in the <br />community. The activities have continued, and complaints regarding the illegal discharge of <br />fireworks continued to be registered. TMC 8.12 charges the Chief of Police and Fire Marshal <br />with administering and enforcing related provisions. TMC 8.45 allows for monetary penalties: <br />"Each civil infraction shall carry with it a monetary penalty of $100.00 for the first violation, <br />$175.00 for a second violation of the same nature or a continuing violation, and $250.00 for a <br />third or subsequent violation of the same nature or continuing violation." (TMC 8.45.120 <br />Penalties- attached) <br />DISCUSSION <br />The kinder and gentler approach associated with education and enforcement has failed in <br />stemming the illegal discharge of fireworks in the City of Tukwila, The Police Chief and Fire <br />Marshal are preparing for proactive enforcement within the full guidelines of the ordinance and <br />within TMC 8.12 and 8.45. In advance of the upcoming holiday, community messaging will <br />emphasize a City of Tukwila "Zero Tolerance" policy aimed at the illegal discharge of fireworks. <br />OUTREACH EFFORTS <br />Part of the Police and Fire Department fireworks enforcement strategy encompasses <br />messaging to ensure Tukwila residents and visitors are well informed of Ordinance 1787, <br />banning the discharge of fireworks inside our city limits. <br />Staff understands that communications with residents and guests on the City's ban on fireworks <br />and this year's emphasis patrols that will result in citations. Accordingly, the City is utilizing the <br />following communication channels to get the message out: <br />• Social media and website — The City will utilize all of its social media channels from the <br />main City account, Parks and Recreation account and the Tukwila Police Department <br />account to push out a centralized message on the fireworks ban, and the fact that the <br />Police Department will be writing citations in 2019. The website will also be updated <br />accordingly. <br />37 <br />