30 fireworks complaints, four charges laid over long weekend in Mississauga
Published May 22, 2024 at 11:48 am
More than two dozen public complaints related to the use and sale of fireworks were lodged with Mississauga officials over the Victoria Day long weekend.
A City of Mississauga spokesperson told insauga.com residents registered 29 complaints related to fireworks use and one related to the alleged illegal sale of the items between last Friday and this past Monday.
Four charges were laid against the seller of the fireworks in the one instance, the city said. No charges were laid in any of the other incidents related to the possible improper use of fireworks, the spokesperson added.
Such complaints could include, for example, people setting off fireworks without a city permit on days other than the holiday Monday.
City bylaw enforcement officers were deployed across Mississauga starting last Wednesday in the search for those who were illegally selling fireworks in the days leading up to the long weekend.
Officials said enforcement officers conducted 282 “proactive inspections” in total of people and groups known to have previously sold fireworks.
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Mississauga residents were allowed to set off fireworks on their private property without first getting a permit only on Victoria Day.
Similar allowances/rules are in effect on four other holidays throughout the year in the city — New Year’s Eve/Day, Canada Day, Lunar New Year and Diwali.
Mississauga officials let it be known ahead of the Victoria Day long weekend — the unofficial kickoff of summer — they’d have enforcement officers out in force in efforts to ensure compliance with fireworks bylaws.
They noted the beefed-up ranks also improve response time for complaints in addition to ensuring celebrations stay safe.
Similar enforcement efforts will be in place during the holiday weekends to come this summer.
To dispose of used or unused fireworks, officials urge people to completely submerge the fireworks in water and soak them overnight. Wrap the soaked fireworks in a plastic bag to keep them from drying out and dispose of them in your garbage bin.
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