Every year, particularly during the week of Independence Day, the police department prioritizes enforcing the village's ordinance against unauthorized fireworks possession and use. In 2024, the police department focused on increased staffing, zero-tolerance enforcement, and proactive patrols of areas with past fireworks complaints. For the period of July 1-6, 2024, the department increased on-duty staffing by 12.35% compared to the previous two years. The average number of fireworks complaints from residents during this period has been 80 since 2016. Although the number of complaints remained steady in 2024, enforcement was more effective, resulting in more citations and a higher percentage of citations per complaint than in the previous two years. The department plans to enhance its proactive prevention and enforcement strategies and recommends the village board consider raising fines for violators.

Please see the attached memorandum for additional information regarding the police department's Independence Day fireworks enforcement and nuisance abatement activity.