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FIRST AND FINAL READING OF AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE TO AMEND COMMERCE CITY REVISED MUNICIPAL CODE (CCRMC) SECTION 1-3003(e) INCREASING THE PENALTIES FOR FIREWORKS VIOLATIONS
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Summary and Background Information:
The City has received hundreds of complaints relating to fireworks around the holidays, draining law enforcement resources and affecting residents' quality of life. The unlawful possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling, discharge, and use of fireworks within the City, especially during holidays, is a drain on the resources of law enforcement, fire protection, and emergency medical service providers. The use of unregulated fireworks is also dangerous and can lead to the loss of life, limbs, or significant residential damage. The ordinance increases the penalties for the use of illegal fireworks from $500 for a first violation to $1,000 and from $1,000 for a second violation to $2,000. Included are two options for the ordinance increasing these penalties--one making the penalties mandatory for all those found to have committed fireworks violations (option 1) and one with alternative penalty options for juvenile offenders (option 2). The intent of this ordinance is to deter those residents from violating the fireworks provisions in the Code and the ordinance is an emergency ordinance in order to deter this dangerous activity immediately and in advance of the summer holidays.
Staff Responsible (Department Head): Sarah L. Geiger, Interim City Attorney
Staff Member Presenting: Sarah L. Geiger, Interim City Attorney
Financial Impact:
Funding Source:
Staff Recommendation: N/A
Suggested Motion: I move to introduce and pass on first and final reading emergency Ordinance Number 2522