By Traci Chapman
Published on January 17, 2007

A survey meant to help determine the fate of fireworks in Mustang has drawn an “unbelievable” response, leaving city officials trying to determine the will of residents.

In October, city officials sent out an estimated 6,300 surveys aimed at gauging whether residents wanted tighter restriction on the use of fireworks. The city received more than 2,100 surveys back.

“This was huge,” Ward 3 Councilman Scott Gibson said. “I think this is twice as big — it might be three times as big — as any survey we’ve ever gotten back.”

City Manager David Cockrell said 2,161 households returned responses. Surveys were sent out in Mustang utility bills to both households and businesses.

Respondents had three options on the survey: choosing to prohibit fireworks in Mustang; leaving current ordinances as-is; or considering some change to the city’s policies, while not banning fireworks.

Of the 2,161 responses received, 830 residents — more than 38 percent — said they wanted to continue allowing fireworks with no change in city ordinances. More than 34 percent, or 746 surveys, indicated a preference to allow fireworks but suggested some ordinance change. The remaining 27 percent — 585 households — suggested that fireworks should be banned.

Ward 6 Councilman Len Scott said he had heard talk in the past that Mustang should perhaps ban fireworks because other surrounding communities do so, but the survey results tell him that is not what residents want.

“I think this shows we can be different,” he said. “I think fireworks are great as long as people take personal responsibility. I think what we need is to preach a little bit of personal responsibility and consideration.”

Ward 3 Councilman Scott Gibson said the overall issue — whether to completely ban or allow fireworks — seems to be a closed matter.

“In my mind, it’s a settled issue. The only question is are we going to tinker with them (the ordinances),” he said.

Ward 1 Councilman Jay Adams agreed. “We now know 78 percent want fireworks to stay,” he said.

Possible changes to current ordinances could reduce the number of days fireworks are allowed or banning their discharge in certain areas of the city.

Of the 746 surveys that indicated a desire to make changes to the ordinances, many indicated the desire for more than one change. As a result, a total of 1,720 modifications were suggested.

The largest percentage of these modifications suggested a reduction in the number of days fireworks can be legally discharged, with 433 surveys including this as a requested change. This was followed closely by a request to ban fireworks on public streets, at 425, and suggestions to implement commercial area bans, at 394. Requests to ban fireworks in residential areas and public parks rounded out these responses, with 262 and 206 responses each.

The city Leisure Service Board also made five recommendations to City Council members. Those recommendations are:

• Publish and post ordinance information in all parks and give flyers to each patron through water bills and fireworks sales, including signage at each city park.
• Prohibit low point beer use in parks from June 27 through July 4.
• Increase law enforcement and officer presence in parks during dates of legal discharge.
• Pass laws to enforce a penalty for the firing of fireworks in the direction of others.
• Recommendation to have organizations and businesses provide trash bags to each patron.

Police Chief Monte James said he does not have additional staff to increase police presence in the park, and it is already illegal to shoot fireworks at other people. Ward 2 Councilwoman Kathleen Moon questioned any request for increased police presence or any modification that would require anything more from the force, saying, “They are already stretched too thin during that time.”

City Council members debated Tuesday if ordinance changes should be made based on either the resident surveys or Leisure Service Board recommendations. After extensive discussion, members decided to table the issue until the March 4 Council meeting.

Mayor Jeff Landrith asked business owners to speak to the Council about their concerns regarding a commercial area firework ban.

“I would like to give business owners a time to come to the meeting and tell us if they think a ban in those areas is needed,” he said.

Residents and business owners are encouraged to contact Council members prior to March 4 to make “final suggestions” about what changes — if any — should be made to city firework ordinances.

Gibson said while additional thought and consideration of the issue is needed, one thing is clear: “City staff has done a good job on this — the survey generated a lot of interest and response, and that makes our job easier.”