The Fourth of July is days away, and it's a good bet that some central Iowan will set off fireworks illegally.Des Moines police said Tuesday that they will dispatch two extra officers on July 4 to keep an eye on illegal fireworks use.Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek said the department did not issue any $625 fireworks citations in 2018. He said police want to warn people first."We are still going into this year that we want voluntary compliance," Parizek said. "We want to avoid issuing violations, but so far this year, we've already had to issue one."Parizek said it is difficult to catch law breakers because it requires willing witnesses to prosecute illegal fireworks users. He said most neighbors are unwilling to go that far."In the past, we've struggled with getting a complaining witness that we really need to get these cases on through the court system," Parizek said. "So now, people need to understand that if they really want us to put some teeth into this that they have to work with us to help them."Police said fines for illegal fireworks use range from $200 to over $600 per violation, depending on the city.

The Fourth of July is days away, and it's a good bet that some central Iowan will set off fireworks illegally.

Des Moines police said Tuesday that they will dispatch two extra officers on July 4 to keep an eye on illegal fireworks use.


Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek said the department did not issue any $625 fireworks citations in 2018. He said police want to warn people first.

"We are still going into this year that we want voluntary compliance," Parizek said. "We want to avoid issuing violations, but so far this year, we've already had to issue one."

Parizek said it is difficult to catch law breakers because it requires willing witnesses to prosecute illegal fireworks users. He said most neighbors are unwilling to go that far.

"In the past, we've struggled with getting a complaining witness that we really need to get these cases on through the court system," Parizek said. "So now, people need to understand that if they really want us to put some teeth into this that they have to work with us to help them."

Police said fines for illegal fireworks use range from $200 to over $600 per violation, depending on the city.