LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – The Lubbock Police Department is reminding residents that fireworks are illegal within city limits ahead of the Fourth of July weekend.<\/p>\n
Anyone found violating the ordinance could have their fireworks confiscated or face a fine of up to $1,000.<\/p>\n
Lt. Brady Cross with the Lubbock Police Department said fire risk is among the top concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s so many dangers when it comes to fireworks,\u201d Cross said. \u201cThere\u2019s the fire hazard that comes with it, we\u2019ve been lucky to have some rainfall recently, but it\u2019s still overall very dry. It\u2019s so easy to set a fire, whether it be a fence or a structure or just any property around.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cross added that fireworks can also bring discomfort to neighbors.<\/p>\n
With the Fourth of July falling on a Saturday this year, Cross said the department will be managing an increase in calls while continuing to respond to other emergencies.<\/p>\n
\u201cEmergency calls are still coming in, there\u2019s still domestic disturbances, there\u2019s still traffic crashes, and so as those calls come into our dispatch center, we have to prioritize them,\u201d Cross said. \u201cAs a department, we ask for patience, we ask for people to understand that we are still going to all the other emergencies in addition to juggling this influx of calls for fireworks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cross said another concern is that fireworks reports can enter the dispatch system as \u201cshots fired\u201d calls. He said the department cannot assume a call involves fireworks, which can pull crews away from higher-priority incidents.<\/p>\n