Diamond Bar : Fireworks Ban Voted

The City Council banned the use of fireworks in an emergency ordinance passed Tuesday night, although the fledgling city had already made the county’s standing prohibition part of its April incorporation.

In addition to passing the 45-day emergency ban, the council also gave preliminary approval to a permanent pyrotechnics ban, which will come back for a final vote July 11. The emergency ordinance, which required a unanimous vote of the four members in attendance, allows the city to have its own ban in place for the Fourth of July.

Under the ban, fireworks use is a misdemeanor punishable by a $1,000 fine and a year in jail.

Councilman Paul Horcher originally opposed the ban but reluctantly came to support it because of the overwhelming public support at the meeting. His vote was crucial to passing the emergency ordinance because Councilman Gary Miller was absent.

“I’ve always felt that safe and sane fireworks were pretty good,” Horcher said. “But, yes, fireworks are inherently dangerous, like driving a car, and have to be regulated.”