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As Warren police Capt. Cortland Larry looks on, Mayor Jim Fouts discusses fireworks regulations with seasonal stand operator Michael Dante inside of his tent on Ryan Road.


Warren Mayor Jim Fouts loves the patriotic aspects of Independence Day, including fireworks.

But he hates the improper use of pyrotechnics, as well as the stress the explosives can cause to dogs, elderly folks and veterans.

That's why he spent several hours this week visiting seasonal fireworks stands in the city to inform distributors about the laws and encouraging them to pass along the information to their customers.

"The most important thing is for everyone, including residents, to be informed that these are zero-tolerance issues," the mayor said. "Too often, people say they weren't aware of the laws. If they are breaking the law, they face hefty fines."

Violators face up to a $1,000 fine.

Fouts has labeled the Fourth of July time frame as a week of "unlimited barrage" of fireworks that often lingers into early morning hours. The loud noises disrupts the sleeping patterns of small children and people who have to get up in the morning to work.

"This is the 10th year I've gone out to try to educate fireworks stand operators because people feel like it's become a war zone," Fouts added.

One stand the mayor visited this week on Ryan Road south of Interstate 696 is operated by Michael Dante, who runs other stands in Royal Oak and Shelby Township.

Dante said he wants everyone to be "safe, safe, safe" for the holiday, but added once customers leave his tent, there is nothing he can do about what they do with the fireworks.

Fouts and a police captain noticed the stand contained several sky lanterns --  small hot air balloons made of paper, with an opening at the bottom where a small fire is ignited -- are now banned in Warren. The operator immediately had them removed.

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Warren police Capt. Cortland Larry (center) and fireworks stand operator Michael Dante look over sky lanterns for sale. The lanterns are now banned in Warren, and Dante immediately had them removed from the tent.


Fireworks sales in Michigan soared after 2011, when Gov. Rick Snyder signed into law the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act, which allowed the sales of consumer-grade aerial fireworks to the average consumer, but limited their use to the day before, day of, and day after specific holidays.

A new set of laws that went into effect this year provides some limits.

Dante, the fireworks stand operator, said sales have been on the decline.

"Sure, I remember how crazy it was, but the our sales have died down over the last two years," he said, adding "but people are still buying."

Fouts plans to ride along with police officers on Thursday night, hoping to discourage neighborhood fireworks from getting out of hand. He said in recent years, the team has encountered hostility from some residents.

Warren police Capt. Cortland Larry said officers have to balance the public's right to celebrate Independence Day with safety and common sense.

"We want everyone to have a great time, but to be mindful of their neighbors and safely enjoy the holiday," the police captain said.

Fireworks laws that were amended in 2018 requires consumer-grade fireworks to be ignited from personal property. It's illegal to shoot off fireworks on public property, including streets and sidewalks. The law also makes it illegal for people to discharge fireworks while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.

The law allows local governments to restrict the days and times residents can shoot off fireworks, the bill maintains the following dates where the explosives are allowed:'

• Dec. 31 until 1 a.m. Jan. 1

• Saturday or Sunday preceding Memorial Day until 11:45 p.m.

• June 29-July 4 until 11:45 p.m.

• July 5, if that is a Friday or Saturday, until 11:45 p.m.

• Saturday-Sunday preceding Labor Day until 11:45 p.m.

Political Fireworks

Meanwhile, in late June, Fouts sent a letter to state Rep. John Chirkun, blasting him for co-sponsoring some of the new fireworks laws, and calling his legislation "another sellout to fireworks lobbyists." He urged lawmakers to make changes in the laws, and reimburse local communities for overtime costs of police and fire crews when called to respond to incidents.

Chirkun, a Roseville Democrat, said he has been working over the last four years in a Republican-controlled House on alter the laws. He worked with a couple of Republicans to address some of the issues, and his bill, HB 5450, reduced the number of days allowing consumer-grade fireworks from 30 to 12.

"Mayor Fouts is up for re-election, so maybe that has something to do with his letter," Chirkun said. "He's got to remember that in many communities above Auburn Hills, they like their fireworks. They don't have the density we have in southeast Michigan, so there's a difference of opinion."

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