Set Off Fireworks in Sedalia, and the Only Thing Exploding Will Be Your Wallet

Guys. Ya'll.

Look, I know that a lot of the people who are going to do this are going to do it no matter what anyone says. I know that. Heck, some of them might be doing it out of spite.

But here's the deal.

The Independence Day Holiday is coming up, and we need to talk before it gets here.

Here's What The Law Says

I know we probably all know this, but just to be sure, here's how it works.

“Sec. 36-123. – Restriction on the sale, discharge and storage of fireworks.

(a) No person shall buy, sell, display, or discharge any firecrackers, cannon crackers, aerial bombs, torpedoes, rockets, Roman candles, flares, or fireworks of any kind or description or any pyrotechnic material with the city, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) Public displays of fireworks or pyrotechnics will be permitted only upon permission in writing, signed by the mayor and countersigned by the chief of the fire department.

(c) No person shall store or keep any fireworks, firecrackers, cannon crackers, torpedoes, bombs, rockets, Roman candles, flares or other pyrotechnic material within the city; provided, transportation in a motor vehicle of the same shall not be considered as storing or keeping of such items.”

Of course, I could get into all the reasons why this is in place.  But does it matter?  Like I said, the people who set off fireworks in town generally.... don't care and do it anyway.

But, since I'm like Sisyphus that way, I'll tell ya again.

Please Don't Set Off Fireworks Because

You could hurt yourself.  You could hurt someone around you.  You could cause property damage.  There are so many chances to set something or someone on fire.

Let me tell ya a story - years ago, I was dating a guy who lived out in the county.  So it was legal for him to set off fireworks.  And we did.  For hours.  And at the end of the night, what did we have?  Honestly, not much.   My sister had burns on her neck, my boyfriend's son had a burn on his face, and every time we told him to look at the fireworks, he'd look away.  The whole point of doing it was for the kid, and the kid didn't like it.  AND people got hurt. To me, the whole thing was just... kind of a waste of money and time.  After my sister got hurt, nobody was really into it anyway.  They were just setting off fireworks because they had them at that point.  Kiddo wasn't even outside anymore.  And honestly, I don't even think the ones we set off were the ones that hurt my sister. The way it hit her, it must have come from the neighbors, who were ALSO setting off fireworks.

Now imagine if there had been a combat veteran with PTSD living next door.

What Happens If You Get Caught

If you have a young family with babies next door, or a neighbor with dogs, or if you live in a neighborhood with a lot of elderly individuals.... well.  If you set off fireworks all night and keep the baby awake, or give the dog severe anxiety, or make Grandpa remember something he doesn't want to.... that's between you and karma.

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But if the SPD finds you, and catches you, you're getting a ticket.  I wrote something about this kinda thing over five years ago. I called the SPD about it, and they told me to call the courthouse, who told me to call Lauber Municipal out of Lee's Summit. And well, nobody could give me an idea of what the fine is now. But back in 2018, the fine was $109.00. I don't know about you, but... things haven't gotten cheaper in my neck of the woods. Prices on everything have only gone up. So I can't imagine you're gonna get away with only a $100 fine.

Is that going to make your 4th of July better?  Seriously.  Just go to the official fireworks. Or go sit across the street from it, like a lot of you do.

So, do what you want.  But know there are consequences for your actions.

Ticketingly yours,
Behka