A 20-year-old man is facing multiple charges after setting off fireworks on Waterloo Street early Saturday morning.
Waterloo Regional Police said an officer was in the area of King Street North and Spring Street around 12:30 a.m. when he saw the man.
“He was holding the fireworks in his hand and then shooting them at businesses and pedestrians, so it could have been very dangerous for everyone involved,” Const. Melissa Quarry of the Waterloo Regional Police Service said.
She added that at least one of the fireworks also hit a police car.
The man is charged with mischief under $5,000, common nuisance – endangering life, criminal negligence and breach of duty related to explosives.
“We often see on long weekends that we have an increase in bylaw calls related to noise complaints as well as fireworks complaints, but it’s not very common that we see fireworks directed at people,” said Const. Career.
James McDonald, a bartender at Ethel’s Lounge, said he was working Friday night when he saw multiple fireworks going off in the street shortly after midnight.
“We saw a large group moving through King [Street] and then all of a sudden just explosions,” McDonald told CTV News.
He was concerned for the safety of patrons on the patio as numerous fireworks were set off from the street.
“They’re flying across, over our building, and it was a little too much,” McDonald said. “Obviously they were having fun, but there are other places to do it where you don’t necessarily risk people’s safety.”
According to the City of Waterloo, fireworks are only allowed on private property from dusk to 11 p.m. during certain holidays. These include Victoria Day, Canada Day, New Year’s Day and Diwali, as well as the days immediately preceding and following the holiday.
“They need to be fired in a safe manner,” said Nicole Papka, director of municipal enforcement services for the City of Waterloo. “You are not allowed to do that on a roadway or on public property.”
According to Papka, there is a permit process that must be followed if fireworks are to be held on public property.
“Fireworks have caused an incredible divisiveness in the community, I think it’s very distressing for a lot of people and pets. So we try to keep that fun and balance,” Papka said.
FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS
The Government of Canada has listed important firework safety tips on its website:
- Place ungrounded fireworks in the ground or sand (unless the label says otherwise)
- Place the fireworks at a 10-degree angle, pointing away from people
- Wait 30 minutes before approaching any unexploded fireworks
- Never attempt to light or repair a firework that does not go off
- Choose a place outside to place them, free of obstructions
- Never light or hold fireworks in your hand (unless the label says they are intended for hand-carrying)
- Store fireworks in a cool, dry and ventilated place
- Keep fireworks away from children
- Read the instructions on the fireworks before using them
- Keep water nearby to soak used fireworks and then wait 30 minutes before disposing of them in the trash
- Children under 18 should not use fireworks unless under adult supervision
- Safety glasses are recommended
- Always light the fuse at its tip
- Do not use fireworks in windy conditions
The City of Kitchener is also asking residents not to set off fireworks on streets, highways, woods, public trails or stadiums. They can be done in city parks as long as the organizers have a permit.
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