City officials remind residents that fireworks are illegal in Kent

Second year of ban in town; violators face $250 fine

City officials remind residents that fireworks are illegal in Kent

Kent city officials want to remind residents that fireworks are illegal in town.

The city’s ban prohibits the sale, possession and use of all consumer fireworks as part of an effort to eliminate fires, injuries and fire-related complaints.

This year marks the second year for the city’s ban, approved by the City Council after a 2015 advisory ballot measure showed nearly 67 percent of voters supported the ban.

Violators could face a $250 fine and have their fireworks confiscated.

Kent Police will conduct emphasis patrols and respond to reports of fireworks to issue citations and enforce the ban.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Police Chief Rafael Padilla, however, said officers won’t be able to respond to all complaints.

“It’s important for our community to understand that we are going to do our very best to respond to fireworks complaints, but we know going into this year’s holiday that we simply do not have the resources to get to them all,” Padilla said in a city media release. “Protecting lives and preserving property will be the priority. If last year is any indication of how things will go, we will have our hands full simply responding to the emergency 911 calls, let alone fireworks complaints.”

The city is encouraging families to enjoy the public display of fireworks at the Lake Meridian Splash at 10:15 p.m. on the Fourth of July, which is a Wednesday. The festivities begin at noon and go until the fireworks show is over.

Reporting violations

To report fireworks being discharged near your property, in a public park or on school property, or if you observe fireworks sales within the city limits, call 253-852-2121. To report fireworks emergencies, call 911. Police will prioritize fireworks-related complaints among other calls for service.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Courtesy Photo, City of Kent Parks
Kent city leaders want bigger piece of county Parks Levy

Measure could go to voters in August; King County Council to consider levy this month

King County Correctional Facility in Seattle. COURTESY PHOTO, King County
Man, 22, gets 20-year prison sentence for 2022 Kent killing

Drive-by shooting outside bar on Central Avenue took the life of 29-year-old Kent man

File Photo
Kent Police arrest man, 22, for arson, assaults against girlfriend

Allegedly set apartment on fire and repeatedly beat 19-year-old woman

t
Kent man, 56, dies in two-vehicle crash March 28 in Kent

Police arrest woman for investigation of vehicular homicide; collision at 94th Ave. S./S. 240th St.

File Photo, Kent Reporter
6-year-old boy drowns in pond on Kent’s East Hill

Child reportedly had autism and was drawn to the water on March 25, according to police

Valley Medical Center in Renton. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
Layoffs at Valley Medical Center stem from loss of funding

101 nonunion employees were fired March 25 from Renton hospital that also serves Kent.

t
FBI honors teen girls who helped stop abduction in Kent

They rescued 6-year-old girl from man in July 2024 in parking lot of apartment complex

t
Kent Police Blotter: March 11-23

Incidents include naked female, robbery with a syringe, assault, harassment

Kent Mayor Dana Ralph, fourth from left, stands with the Kent City Council, from left to right, John Boyd, Toni Troutner, Zandria Michaud, Satwinder Kaur, Brenda Fincher, Marli Larimer and Bill Boyce. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent
Cost-of-living pay hikes approved for Kent mayor, City Council

A 3.6% increase boosts mayor’s annual salary to $219,720; part-time council members to earn $37,296 per year

The city-owned Riverbend Golf Complex in Kent turned a profit in 2024 for the third consecutive year. COURTESY FILE PHOTO, City of Kent Parks
Riverbend Golf Complex in Kent turns profit for 3rd consecutive year

City-owned facility continues to reap financial benefits of par 3 course sale in 2017

Dow Constantine. COURTESY PHOTO
Board recommends Dow Constantine as new Sound Transit CEO

In his 16th year as King County executive and on the Sound Transit Board; pay could be $675,000 annually

Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. FILE PHOTO
Man receives nearly 18-year sentence for Kent hotel murder

Phillip Jonathan Lopez beat up his girlfriend in June 2021 at Ramada Inn