Lacey police responded to only 9 fireworks complaints on July 4. Here’s why
Lacey police responded to only a fraction of the 88 fireworks complaints the city received on July 4 because police resources were tied up with a potentially major crime, Police Chief Robert Almada told a city council committee on Tuesday.
Voters approved a Lacey fireworks ban in 2005, and it took effect in 2006. The cities of Olympia and Tumwater also have banned fireworks, and this year Thurston County enacted a ban because of extremely dry conditions.
Still, residents continue to set off fireworks, which resulted in the 88 calls to Lacey police, according to data shared by the chief. Police were able to respond to only nine of those calls because of an incident that unfolded in northeast Lacey that evening.
About 7:40 p.m. July 4, police were dispatched to the 3800 block of Cameron Drive Northeast after a man threatened to kill his wife and adult daughter and go on a shooting rampage in the neighborhood, Almada said.
The incident was ultimately resolved peacefully, but the man had barricaded himself inside the home, so police, Thurston County SWAT and the Washington State Patrol bomb squad all responded, he said.
All Lacey police on duty that evening — a sergeant, corporal and six officers — responded to the incident. Almada said the suspect had a “significant history of firearms ownership and experience with explosives.”
“It just took a lot of resources to get to that (peaceful) resolution,” he said.
Once that incident was under control, police responded to other higher priority 911 calls and finally to calls about fireworks.
A fireworks violation in the city is considered a civil infraction, which can result in a warning or fine. To take action, an officer has to personally witness the use of the fireworks.
After police responded to those nine calls, what was the result? asked Deputy Mayor Cynthia Pratt.
Police issued no warnings or citations because police arrived after the fact, Almada said.
Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder expressed frustration with the ban, noting how difficult it is to enforce.
Ryder asked Almada for a recommendation and the chief suggested a regional approach to enforcing the fireworks ban, possibly by making the use of larger, more powerful fireworks a crime.
Almada also contended that due to recent legislation that affects policing in the state, police technically shouldn’t be involved in civil infractions. Their duties are now supposed to be restricted to criminal matters, he said.
There were more questions at the meeting about the new legislation affecting police.
During the domestic violence standoff on Cameron Drive Northeast, tear gas and other less lethal weapons were used, according to Ryder and Councilman Lenny Greenstein.
In light of the new legislation, what happens now? they asked.
To use tear gas, police have to get the mayor’s approval and police can no longer use a 40 mm launcher, Almada said.
This story was originally published July 28, 2021 at 5:45 AM.
