Fireworks complaints up slightly in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Cedar Rapids Police Department saw a slight increase in fireworks-related calls in the first five days of July compared with last year — but calls are down from previous years.

This year, there were 449 calls about fireworks in Cedar Rapids between July 1 and the afternoon of July 5, according to the city.

The total was up from the 410 complaints received in the same time period in 2023.

In the same period in 2022, Cedar Rapids police had 426 calls for service, down from 595 in 2021 and 750 calls in 2020.

More than half the 449 calls this year — 236 — happened between noon Thursday and 3 a.m. Friday. Nine citations were issued for illegal firework use Wednesday and Thursday.

Cedar Rapids fines people $625 for setting off fireworks inside the city.

Cedar Rapids bans individuals from setting off fireworks, though people can ignite them in some surrounding cities and in unincorporated Linn County during certain hours.

Nonetheless, fireworks still can be sold widely in Cedar Rapids under a state law prohibiting cities from restricting their sale.

“To issue a citation, officers must witness fireworks being lit/discharged by an individual, making enforcement a challenge,” a city release states.

The police department is anticipating more calls this weekend, according to the release.

Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com