Seattle police: Don't tie up 911 with fireworks calls on Fourth

In Seattle, shooting off Roman candles in the backyard is not only potentially dangerous, it is punishable with a $5,000 fine or up to a year in jail. But don't bother calling 911 if that's how your neighbor chooses to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Seattle police are asking residents with fireworks complaints to not call 911, but rather dial the department's nonemergency line — 206-625-5011. Police expect dozens of noise-related calls over the holiday weekend and those calls can occupy the 911 line, stalling response to more dire emergencies, police spokesman Mark Jamieson said.

The Fourth of July is one of the department's busiest days, he said. Emergencies must be addressed first before officers can chase reports of sparklers.

The reality is some fireworks calls will go unanswered, Jamieson said. However, someone who believes fireworks are creating an imminently dangerous situation would have to make a judgment call and dial 911, he said.

Cities' and counties' rules on fireworks vary. Fireworks are allowed in unincorporated King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. But many cities ban them, such as Bellevue, Everett, Mill Creek, Federal Way, Issaquah, Redmond and Shoreline.

Unlike Seattle, Auburn officials say residents should call 911 for fireworks complaints. The city is reviewing its fireworks policy, Valley Regional Fire Authority spokeswoman Kimberly McDonald said. Currently some fireworks are legal, but nothing that blows up or shoots into the air, McDonald said.

Elsewhere, other police departments also will respond to fireworks calls.

Seattle officials are encouraging people to attend one of the public displays to get their pyrotechnic fix.

"The police aren't trying to crack down on people's fun," Jamieson said. "We want people to enjoy the Fourth of July. We just want them to do it safely."

Jamieson conceded that if police encounter fireworks, it's likely officers will merely confiscate them and not make an arrest.

In 2007, the State Fire Marshal's Office received reports of 899 fires and 160 injuries caused by fireworks. And fireworks caused $20.5 million in damage during commercial fires last year. Most often, these incidents happened on the Fourth of July, according to a news release from the Fire Marshal's office.

Leslie Anne Jones: 206-464-2745 or ljones@seattletimes.com