For Immediate Release
(Bremerton, WA) Fireworks Complaints in Kitsap County, WA
SAVE 9-1-1 CALLS FOR TRUE EMERGENCIES
During the 4th of July holiday, only call 911 for a fireworks complaint if there is an imminent threat to life or property. Callers with reports of hearing loud or illegal fireworks delay or block other callers with life threatening emergencies from reaching 911.
LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE DURING FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY
Port Orchard, Bremerton, Poulsbo, Suquamish, and Port Gamble Police Departments and the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office will not be responding to firework complaints that pose no imminent threat to life or property. See information below on how to report nuisance fireworks complaints to Bainbridge Island Police Department directly.
During the busy Fourth of July holiday, law enforcement must delay or suspend their response to non-emergency requests for service in order to respond to emergency events (assault, robbery, etc.). Protecting lives and preserving property are the highest priorities.
To report a fireworks complaint that poses a threat to life or property, call 911.
Examples of these types of fireworks complaints are:
- Someone is injured from a firework
- There is a fire started by a firework
- You witness someone attempting to start a fire with a firework
- You witness someone assaulting someone with a firework
NUISANCE FIREWORKS COMPLAINTS
Most fireworks complaints are nuisance related. They are loud, being set off outside time parameters, scaring animals, or they might even be banned in your area. While all of these are annoying and some even illegal, they do not rise to the level of an emergency event. Port Orchard, Bremerton, Poulsbo, Suquamish, and Port Gamble Police Departments and the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office will not be responding to nuisance firework complaints. If you wish to report this type of firework for these jurisdictions, you must do so online at https://www.kitsap911.org/fireworks or by calling the non-emergency number at 360-328-7711. This website will be available from Friday, June 26th at 0900 through Sunday, July 5th at 2359. This information will be relayed to the appropriate jurisdiction for review and statistical analysis after the 4th of July holiday.
TO REPORT NUISANCE FIREWORKS COMPLAINTS ON BAINBRIDGE ISLAND
On July 3rd and 4thduring the hours of 5:00pm to 1:00am, illegal fireworks complaints can be made by calling Bainbridge Island Police Department directly at 206-842-5211. Calls that include a specific location where fireworks are being discharged will be prioritized over those reporting a general area. For nuisance/illegal fireworks complaints on Bainbridge Island outside of these dates and times, file your report online at https://www.kitsap911.org/fireworks or call the non-emergency number at 360-328-7711. Do not call 911 to report nuisance fireworks complaints. Leave 911 open for true emergencies.
FIREWORKS RULES
Fireworks rules vary between cities and unincorporated areas as well as on local tribes’ reservations. Check local agency websites to see if fireworks are legal in your area and if so, on what dates & times. For information on what types of fireworks are legal, go to the State Fire Marshal’s website @ https://www.wsp.wa.gov/fireworks.