T-R PHOTO BY NOAH ROHLFING A smoke bomb lights up the ground at the Central Iowa Fairgrounds Monday evening during the Fourth of July festivities. While the fairgrounds had a permit to set off fireworks within city limits, numerous illegal fireworks were set off throughout the weekend, and the Marshalltown Police Department received 69 complaints.

Within Marshalltown city limits, the only legal fireworks are sparklers, caps and snakes, but the Fourth of July weekend still went off with a bang, literally.

Large fireworks are prohibited without a permit, but display fireworks were being set off throughout the three-day holiday. The Marshalltown Police Department received 69 complaints from community members about the unlawful use of fireworks.

Community members voiced their concerns regarding the effect of the noise on household pets and veterans in the area on social media groups as well, especially given that the Iowa Veterans Home is located in Marshalltown.

According to Police Chief Mike Tupper, 22 firework citations have been issued since June 29. Tupper described the situation as a “no win” for the police department because of the wildly differing opinions regarding fireworks.

“I receive complaints from people that want us to enforce more and I receive an equal number of complaints from people who don’t want us to enforce it at all. So we’re kind of stuck in the middle of this issue, and it is difficult,” Tupper said.

In addition to the tension between the pro-firework and anti-firework population, Tupper said firework complaints were a slightly lower priority because of how busy the MPD has been. They received over 850 total calls for service in the last week alone.

“A fireworks complaint is important to us, but it’s a lower priority complaint. So sometimes we don’t get there as quickly as we would like, so by the time we get there, it’s over with,” Tupper said.

That, combined with the fact that it is often difficult to pinpoint exactly where fireworks originated, makes enforcing the city ordinance challenging, but Tupper did say firework complaints were down this year compared to 2021.

While Tupper said he hoped that community members could talk to their neighbors regarding fireworks and actions causing disturbance, he recognized that it is not always possible, and he reiterated that the MPD is there for the community.

“People can always call us and we’re available 24/7 and you can report these ordinance violations, and we will get there as fast as we can,” Tupper said.

To report an ordinance violation, call the MPD non-emergency number at (641) 754-5725.

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Contact Susanna Meyer

at 641-753-6611 or

smeyer@timesrepublican.com.