Make Fourth of July a safe holiday!

The Coeur d'Alene Police Department would like to wish everyone a happy, fun-filled Fourth of July. Officers will be out in force to ensure that everyone has a safe celebration. There will be an extra emphasis in patrol throughout the city as well as the downtown area, Tubbs Hill, and the City Park. As a reminder, fireworks and alcohol are prohibited in all city parks and on Tubbs Hill. For people enjoying the City Park, there will be officers stationed in the Police and Fire Safety Building. This will serve as an area to report or return missing children.

All dangerous fireworks are prohibited. It is unlawful for any person in the city to import, export, offer for sale, sell, possess, use, keep or store, or permit the keeping or storing of any fireworks, other than non-aerial, common fireworks, for any use or purpose, except for a person holding a special fireworks permit.

The most common complaints forwarded to the Police Department during the celebration are the noise levels of the fireworks, and fireworks aimed at and landing on the roof of a residence. Any violation of the Municipal Fireworks Code is a misdemeanor public offense, punishable by a fine not to exceed three hundred dollars.

Aerial fireworks are an extreme hazard and can start fires on the roofs of houses, garages, and surrounding buildings. Public areas such as Tubbs Hill are also vulnerable to fire. Strict enforcement of the law will apply to anyone who has caused a fire due to negligence with fireworks. There are also high incidents of personal injury incurred from fireworks, especially when coupled with alcohol consumption. We encourage citizens to act responsibly and safely. Officers will be strictly enforcing DUI laws with an extra emphasis over the holiday and throughout the weekend.

The Police Department would like to make the public aware of the Noise Abatement Ordinance.

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or permit the operation of any sound amplification system on a street, highway, alley, sidewalk, parking lot, driveway, park, beach, motor vehicle, or public right--of-way, within the limits of the city of Coeur d'Alene, in such a manner as to disturb the peace, quiet or comfort of a reasonable person and/or so that the sound is plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet or more from the sound amplification system.

The content of the sound shall not be considered when determining a violation of the City Code.

A first violation of the Noise Abatement shall constitute a civil violation and charge of $75 will be assessed, payable at the City Cashiers office within 30 days of a citation. A second violation of the Noise Abatement Ordinance shall constitute a civil violation and a charge of $150 will be assessed, payable at the City Cashiers office within thirty days of a citation. A third or subsequent violations of the Noise Abatement ordinance shall be a misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a jail sentence of not more than 180 days and/or a fine of not more than $300.

The Police Department encourages city residents and visitors to the City of Coeur d'Alene to be mindful of fire danger, and not to disturb their neighbors' peace. If there is a crime in progress, please call 911. To file a crime report call 769-2320.

Sgt. Christie Wood is the Public Information Officer with the Coeur d'Alene Police Department.