14 = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FEATURE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 2003
Photo illustration by Zach Straus/Kansan
A mortar fires in the night on a deserted street in rural Douglas County. Fireworks were prohibited in Lawrence last October. The ban, which covers fireworks like mortars, has met general disapproval among the college community.
FOURTH OF JULY
Local fireworks ban
Students, residents hate city's new policy
By Brandon Baker
bbaker@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Igniting fireworks is one way to celebrate Independence Day in Lawrence, but it could cost you $200.
Lawrence prohibits the sale, use, possession and display of fireworks — except by Douglas County-approved professionals — through a ban passed by city commissioners on Oct. 23 last year. Infringements will result in tickets ranging from $100 to $200, said Jerry Little, city prosecutor.
"The Fourth has always been a busy time for the police department. We're not anticipating an increase."
Sgt. Mike Patrick Lawrence Police Department
The legal times to explode fireworks are from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. today and tomorrow, and from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday,
but only outside of Lawrence city limits.
Police will be watching for violations of the new ban. Sgt. Mike Patrick of the Lawrence Police Department said he expected the amount of officers working this Independence Day to be the same as the years before the new ban.
"The Fourth has always been a busy time for the police department," Patrick said. "We're not anticipating an increase."
Students and residents have their doubts about the effectiveness of the ban.
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