GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — While fireworks rang out through the city on 4th of July, so did the phones of first responders and law enforcement agencies.
Lt. Shauna Walesh with the Green Bay Metro Fire Department says this 4th of July weekend was a busy one for the department.
“Just over the 4th, we had over 20 incidents in relation to firework related fires and/or injuries to. The main cause of the firework-related fires unfortunately was due to improper disposal,” Walesh said.
Similar to cigarettes, Walesh says fireworks can continue to burn and smolder and ultimately catch something on fire.
“If you’re using those sparklers or any fireworks, please soak them overnight in water before disposing of them,” Walesh said.
During the hours of 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. on 4th of July, the Green Bay Police Department says it received 16 calls regarding fireworks complaints.
The department says it received 86 calls in total during those hours.
“We did experience a high number of call volumes specifically for fireworks, with being 4th of July, the city was inundated with fireworks and we really need to put out the message to the community to leave fireworks to the professionals,” Green Bay Police Department Patrol Commander Kevin Warych said.
While there was a high concentration of people downtown, Warych says police didn’t encounter many issues.
Overall, Warych says the event went well.
“In the Fire Over the Fox celebration, officers did encounter people that were intoxicated. Some people did have to be escorted off the grounds, but those were so far and few between, the majority of people downtown had a great Fire Over the Fox celebration. Most of them just enjoyed the fireworks and then went home,” Warych said.
Warych says other small disturbances occurred, but he says officers responded and were able to send people on their way.
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