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No citations issued for illegal fireworks on the 4th Jul 11, 2022 12:15 AM A A On July 4, there were skyrockets, cherry bombs, silver salutes, etc. being set off all over our neighborhood in northeast Medford. None of these things are legal in Medford, and there seems to be more such displays every year. I’m sure this neighborhood is not unique, and I’m wondering how many citations were issued and fireworks confiscated by the police and fire departments. — Jon B. You’re not wrong that you heard lots of fireworks going off over the holiday weekend, Jon. Medford police reported over 100 fireworks-related calls for service. Local police, however, said they were swamped with other types of more urgent calls, making for a busy weekend. Medford police patrol lieutenant Rebecca Pietila said police prioritize emergency calls for service and respond to fireworks calls “as they’re able, or if they pose an immediate safety threat.” Of the more than 100 calls made over the July 4 weekend, none resulted in a citation or confiscation of fireworks. Elsewhere around Southern Oregon, police reported varying numbers of complaints, but no reports of illegal fireworks resulted in enforcement action. In Central Point, where two large-scale shows take place each year, including a designated area for residents to set off their own at The Expo parking lot, police received a handful of complaints, but no citations or confiscations were reported. Phoenix police Chief Derek Bowker said three complaints came in. Though none of the offenders were lighting off “illegal” fireworks, Phoenix banned all fireworks after the Almeda fire, so even “legal” fireworks were a no-go. Bowker said officers simply asked the offenders to stop, and they did. Bowker said “only three calls” for fireworks “was pretty good.” “I remember when I used to work on the road on the Fourth and New Year’s — that was the only thing I handled all night,” Bowker said. In Ashland, police Chief Tighe O’Meara said 25 fireworks-related complaints trickled in throughout the night, though he was unaware of any citations being issued. Like Phoenix and Talent, Ashland has a ban in effect for fireworks — except for snakes, party poppers and smoke bombs — through the end of the year. O’Meara said Ashland’s was a “quiet” Fourth of July with the city’s fireworks display canceled this year, though the parade was well attended. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501 or by email to [email protected].