Trustees: Shooting off fireworks is legal in Hinckley

HINCKLEY TWP. — The Hinckley Board of Trustees established the township did not opt out of the state's newest fireworks law during their meeting Tuesday. Vice Chairman Jack Swedyk said an anonymous, concerned resident emailed the Hinckley trustees asking the township to keep fireworks illegal because of the stress it can cause on veterans and pets. Trustee Monique Ascherl said in response that the board had decided previously to stick with the state guidelines. "I don't know because I don't suffer from any of that and I'm not a nervous animal but is there really a big difference between fireworks and gunfire?" she said. "At the end of the day, gunfire is allowed. Why would we say no to fireworks because (the resident) does specifically say (it's for) the animal and the veterans." Swedyk said he understands the resident's concerns, but he felt as if the state law was already limited enough regarding the days when the discharge of fireworks is allowed. Ascherl later said it would be difficult to enforce the law if fireworks were illegal in the township. "It's very difficult to police because when people call it in, the fireworks are already being set off," she said. "By the time that the police get out there and find what the location is, those people are done." Chairman Melissa Augustine said the township could follow the legal language of other local communities who are allowing the discharge of fireworks. For instance, shooting off fireworks is legal in Brunswick Hills. Ohio passed a bill last fall that allows individuals to discharge consumer-grade fireworks on certain days of the year such as Independence Day as well as the weekends immediately before and after the holiday. Local governments had the option to opt out of this law by July 1 and have fireworks remain illegal in their communities. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.