Wichita has gone through its first weekend of enhanced fireworks regulations with nobody getting cited for illegal celebration, a city fire official said Monday.
The promised crackdown on things that go boom in the night hasn’t really started yet, said Deputy Fire Chief Stuart Bevis.
Fireworks sales began in and around Wichita on Friday and some skyrockets did fly over city neighborhoods, even though they’re illegal here. In May, the Wichita City Council rewrote its fireworks ordinance to make it easier to enforce.
Illegal use of fireworks can now be punished with a $250 citation against the user or the owner of the property where the violation occurs.
Upgraded enforcement won’t start in earnest until Tuesday night, Bevis said. He said City Hall authorized enough funding for as many as 22 extra employees to patrol for illegal fireworks and to write citations. But the actual number will depend on how many want to work night shifts on overtime pay to do it.
(Read more: Wichita Eagle)