DPS issues safety tips on use of firecrackers, fireworks
The Department of Public Safety issued yesterday safety tips on the use of firecrackers or fireworks for today and tomorrow’s New Year’s Eve revelry in the CNMI.
DPS Fire Division spokesperson Jocelyn Alvarez urged residents to report people using modified fireworks or modified devices such as cannons as such items are not permitted and are considered illegal.
Alvarez said anyone under 18 years old may not purchase fireworks and that parents or guardians should not allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
Alvarez said fireworks are not permitted for use in residential areas after 10pm.
Adults, she said, should always supervise fireworks activities.
“Never try to reignite fireworks that have not ignited fully. Never point fireworks toward another person,” she said.
Alvarez advised people to never carry fireworks in their pockets or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
“Any individual under the influence of drugs or alcohol should not use or supervise in the use of fireworks,” she added.
Last New Year festivities in the CNMI were peaceful. Police caught only one person driving while intoxicated and no major vehicular accident was reported. No firecracker or fireworks-related injury was reported.
As of press time, almost all fireworks and firecrackers sold at stores were already sold out.
Pubic Law 15-27 fireworks illegal except for certain small ones and those firworks and sparklers etc that legal are need to have a permit to sell and minors are not legal to make purchase.
So why is not DPS enforcing the law. ( I know, what a stvpid question)
Aren’t fireworks supposed to be illegal in the CNMI?
As usual, CNMI law is a bit convoluted on the subject. Fireworks are supposed to be illegal without a permit. However there are exceptions to include sparklers, caps, snakes, model rockets, and the next one is funny because it incorporates provisions of Oregon law that have since been removed (“(5) Those items described in ORS 480.127 (4)).”
I think this is the loophole:
No person shall be found in violation of § 3107(d) (which appears to be a typo because (d) is a list of exceptions, not a prohibition that one could be found guilty of violating) of this section until the later of:
(1) The effective date of this section, or
(2) Thirty days after the publication of the list required by this subsection.
DPS was supposed to promulgate regulations within thirty days of enactment of the fireworks legislation but as of this morning (years later) NMIAC 150-40.1-115 shows no modification since Oct 2005.
So, if and when the Fire Chief promulgates the necessary regulations, the fireworks ban can grow teeth. Until then, we will enjoy fireworks in the Commonwealth.