Pitt Meadows hikes fireworks fines as city looks to boost Halloween enforcement

Pitt Meadows is strengthening its fireworks bylaw and increasing several fines to $500, but city officials acknowledge enforcing the rules on Halloween night remains difficult.

Council unanimously gave first three readings Sept. 1 to a new Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Bylaw, along with amendments to the city’s bylaw enforcement rules.

The new bylaw maintains Pitt Meadows’ longstanding ban on the sale, possession, storage and use of consumer fireworks, while continuing to allow professionally supervised fireworks displays and pyrotechnic events with a special permit. Staff said the changes are largely intended to clarify and modernize the existing rules rather than change the city’s overall approach.

The changes also increase the fine for possessing or using fireworks from $200 to $500, while unauthorized display fireworks and pyrotechnic events will see fines rise from $300 to $500. New $500 penalties are being introduced for failing to surrender fireworks when directed, failing to comply with a special permit and failing to comply with an order from a fire chief or officer.

But Coun. Bob Meachen questioned how effective enforcement has been in practice, noting that over the last several years the city has had bylaws making it illegal to discharge fireworks.

He pointed to Elmer’s Fireworks on Bonson Road, which he said is outside the city’s jurisdiction, as a source where people can purchase fireworks before bringing them back into Pitt Meadows.

“Most of those fireworks, as we’re aware, on two nights a year at least, are discharged within the City of Pitt Meadows, and I wouldn’t want to be the bylaw officer that tries to step into a group of 50 or 60 people and deal with it,” he said.

Meachen asked how many fines have typically been issued or fireworks confiscated in previous years. Staff did not have exact figures available at the meeting but said both numbers have been low, particularly confiscations.

Enforcement has instead largely focused on education and proactive patrols. The city’s report says bylaw officers and RCMP patrol the community on Halloween and respond to fireworks complaints as resources allow, while firefighters are available for related fires and public safety incidents.

Staff told council it can be particularly difficult to issue tickets when officers encounter large groups setting off fireworks.

“Generally speaking, on a Halloween night, when bylaw services or even the RCMP, for that matter, attend, and there’s a large group of individuals that are discharging fireworks, they’ll use their vehicle lights to flash and to disperse the crowd,” staff said. “So it’s very, very difficult to issue fines in those circumstances, and also very difficult to confiscate.”

That could change somewhat this year.

Bylaw Services, Pitt Meadows Fire and Rescue Services and the RCMP plan to review their Halloween operations to look for ways to improve coordination, patrols and enforcement.

Staff told council there may be opportunities to strengthen the visible presence of public safety officers in the community this Halloween.

Meachen welcomed the effort but acknowledged eliminating illegal fireworks altogether is unlikely.

“Most people in Pitt Meadows will thank you if you can control some of this, but good luck,” he said. “I think the reality check is, someone is going to let fireworks off, but I’m glad to hear there is a liaison going on and perhaps some education and reinforcement will be a little bit greater this year.”

Mayor Nicole MacDonald agreed the issue is a difficult one for municipalities to tackle.

“We know this is a tricky one,” MacDonald said. “We know we’re not alone. This is common amongst all the communities.”

Beyond enforcement changes, the new bylaw creates an exemption allowing people to lawfully transport consumer fireworks through Pitt Meadows as long as they are securely stored and are not sold, stored or used within the city. It also adds restrictions on fireworks and sky lanterns on highways and in public places and expands requirements for special permit applications.

The previous fireworks bylaw dates to 2015. Staff recommended replacing it entirely because of the extent of the revisions and reorganization.