(A) Definition. The term FIREWORKS shall mean and include any explosive composition or any substance or combination of substances, or article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect of a temporary exhibitional nature by explosion, combustion, deflagration or detonation, and shall include blank cartridges, toy cannons in which explosives are used, the type of balloons which require fire underneath to propel the same, firecrackers, torpedoes, sky rockets, Roman candles, bombs or other fireworks of like construction and any fireworks containing any explosive compound; or any tablets or other device containing any explosive substance, or containing combustible substances producing visual effects. The term FIREWORKS shall not include snake or glow worm pellets, smoke devices; sparklers; trick noisemakers known as “party poppers”, “booby traps”, “snappers”, “trick matches”, “cigarette loads” and “auto burglar alarms”, toy pistols, toy canes, toy guns or other devices in which paper or plastic caps containing twenty-five hundredths grains or less of explosive compound are used; provided, they are so constructed that the hand cannot come in contact with the cap when in place for the explosion; and toy pistol paper or plastic caps which contain less than twenty-five hundredths grains of explosive mixture; the sale and use of which shall be permitted at all times.
(B) Possession, sale and use of fireworks.
(1) Except as hereinafter provided it shall he unlawful for any person, firm, co-partnership or corporation to knowingly possess, offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail or use or explode any fireworks. The village may grant permits for pyrotechnic and consumer displays to persons with proven experience in the commercial use of fireworks.
(2) Any person who violates division (A) of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than $500, nor more than $1,000.
(3) Any police officer observing a violation of this section may, as an alternative to arresting the offender, issue a “hang-on ticket” as provided in Ch. 15, Art. 4, of this code pursuant to which the person cited may pay the sum of $250 within ten days of the violation as a compromise or settlement to avoid the prosecution of an ordinance violation in the Circuit Court.
(Ord. 2008-06-28, passed 6-2-2008)