Aggressive Enforcement on July 4th

Over the past few years, the City of Sherwood has experienced a significant increase in the use of illegal fireworks throughout the community. This resulted in a significant increase in complaints and requests for service to the Police Department. Sherwood residents voiced their concerns about fireworks and specifically explosions, noise and disruptive gatherings until late into the night and large amounts of litter that is left on city streets.

In response to numerous complaints from Sherwood residents, the City of Sherwood Police Department is planning aggressive enforcement again this July 4th weekend. The Police Department will be putting additional police officers on duty both July 3rd and July 4th to deal specifically with illegal fireworks. Sherwood Police will also be partnering with Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue to insure that the 4th of July in Sherwood is both legal and safe.

A Deputy Fire Marshall will be riding with police officers again this year on the evening of July 4th to assist in enforcing state laws regarding fireworks and to help educate the public on the dangers of illegal fireworks. In 2008 the city of Sherwood received 25 calls for service regarding illegal fireworks during July 4th. Last year, twelve citations were issued for possession of illegal fireworks and hundreds of fireworks were seized. Oregon State Law prohibits the possession and/or use of any fireworks that explode, eject balls of fire, fly into the air or travel more than six (6) feet on the ground or twelve (12) inches into the air. This list includes fireworks commonly referred to as “firecrackers, jumping jacks, bottle rockets, mortars and roman candles”.

By enforcing both state law and the city code, the Sherwood Police intend to send a strong message that illegal fireworks will not be tolerated. “We want everyone to have an enjoyable 4th of July celebration, but we expect them to obey the law of the land and do it safely”, adds Chief Groth. Persons who violate the law by possessing and/or using illegal fireworks can expect to have the illegal fireworks seized AND be cited into either City of Sherwood Municipal Court on a code violation or Washington County Circuit Court for a misdemeanor crime.

Legal and Illegal Fireworks


Date: June 3, 2009
Release #01: Fireworks 2009
Contact: Sgt. Jon Carlson (503-925-7107)