Fireworks hours could fizzle in Macon under new proposal

A change could be coming to when fireworks can be shot off in Macon-Bibb County.

County Commissioner Mallory Jones is pushing to limit the evening hours when people can set off fireworks. He said he’s taking action because he continues to get complaints from people about the times that fireworks are being used.

Jones’ proposal comes after state lawmakers cut back on the hours that fireworks can be used on most days. Jones wants the issue to fall under Macon-Bibb’s noise ordinance if someone shoots off fireworks after 9 p.m. on most days.

“I’m just trying to restore a little peace and quiet in our neighborhood,” he said.

Jones’ resolution, which will likely be discussed at Tuesday’s Operations and Finance Committee, would prevent the use of fireworks after 9 p.m. on all days of the year except for July 3 and 4 and Dec. 31. Georgia law allows fireworks to be shot until midnight on July 3 and 4. The law also permits fireworks to be shot off until 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

State law says that fireworks can be used between 9 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. as “long as it does not violate any local ordinance,” the resolution said.

The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office would investigate fireworks complaints, and if a citation is issued, then a judge would decide the penalty. One of the possible punishments is a fine of up to $1,000, Macon-Bibb spokesman Chris Floore said.

For Jones, there was an inundation of responses to a Facebook post he recently made from people in favor of the proposed change.

“In my mind, I’d rather not see it in residential (neighborhoods) period, but state law has pre-empted our authority, so this is our little window,” he said.

Jones said he’s heard from people saying that fireworks are being shot at all times of the day and night even when it’s not a holiday. The loud sounds not only impact people but can also scare pets.

“I’ve heard countless stories of animals that at the very least were lost and ran through the invisible fences because of the explosion,” Jones said. “In some cases they found (the dogs) and other cases they did not.”

This story was originally published July 10, 2016 at 9:22 PM with the headline "Fireworks hours could fizzle in Macon under new proposal."