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(Des Moines, IA) -- Several local police departments issued zero fireworks-related citations over the holiday weekend.
Under new regulations, fireworks could be legally shot off on private property during July 3rd and 4th. Iowans throughout the metro and across the state were now able to shoot off fireworks in celebration of the Fourth of July. Previously, cities and counties could ban or restrict the use of fireworks.
"This year we had zero citations that were written. We had 43 calls for service that were called in throughout the entire weekend. That ranged from the second to just this morning at eight o'clock," said Sergeant Trevor McGraw with the Ankeny Police Department.
Waukee PD says they issued zero citations but had 44 complaint calls. Police Chief Chad McCluskey says that Waukee has allowed fireworks in the past, so this year wasn't very different from previous years.
When asked why there were no citations, McCluskey said that while he can't speak for other departments, their officers try to educate over enforce. Issuing citations is up to the officer's discretion.
The Clive Police Department also issued zero citations but says they had a couple of complaints.