Save yourself an expensive fine, neighbour complaints and the freaked out pets this year and avoid fireworks this Halloween if you don’t have a permit.
Halloween night, bylaw enforcement officers and the Delta Police will be patrolling the busy streets, keeping their eyes peeled and ears open for any screeching explosions of light going off within the city’s boundaries.
Selling, possessing and transporting fireworks in Delta without a permit is prohibited, however, this doesn’t necessarily stop people on what some might consider one of the rowdiest nights of the year.
“On Halloween night, we definitely see an increase in call volume, and we have extra officers out over the weekend just to assist with the higher than usual call volume ... We usually end up seizing a lot of fireworks,” said Sgt. Mike Whiteley, who will be patrolling Halloween this year.
And those choosing to go against the city-wide ban could face a $200 fine for possession if they don’t have a permit, said Hugh Davies, Delta’s Manager of Property Use & Compliance, in an email to the Optimist.
Permits can only be issued by the fire Chief or a designated officer, and they may not be issued to any applicants who are more than just an individual, who are less than 19 years old, who wish to use the fireworks for a purpose outside of a special event, or hasn’t submitted their application correctly.
“Our main concern is safety for the public and for the youth out there that may be trick-or-treating. We just ask that you use caution. We run across youth that are letting off fireworks without the proper safety protocols or anything, and we do see an increase of injuries to youth and people because of mishaps,” says Whiteley.
In addition to accidentally hurting somebody, setting off fireworks can also be a fire hazard.
“Bylaw inspectors will be focusing their attention on bylaw offences associated with private property or on municipal lands, including parks and the recreation centres throughout Delta,” added Davies.
Some additional safety tips Whiteley gives is wearing reflective clothing if you’re going to be out in the dark, for parents to check their children’s candy, and to drive with extra caution around all the pedestrians.
