Fireworks time arrives

The use of fireworks in the Eunice city limits is allowed through July 5, and fireworks are allowed outside city limits in the parish year-round.
Fireworks are allowed within the city limits from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. until next Sunday, and “Penny” rockets are banned for use inside the city. Violating the city’s fireworks ordinance is punishable by a fine of up to $200, court cost and up to 30 days in jail. 
Outside city limits, residents of St. Landry Parish may pop fireworks year-round up to a “reasonable” hour of the night, according to Lt. Clay Higgins with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office.
“If we receive a complaint about noise, we will respond to the complaint and make sure that fireworks are being used in a safe manner and not being pointed at a house or person,” Higgins said. “If someone is popping fireworks at 1 a.m. and keeping a neighbor up, we will respond to the noise complaint and take the appropriate action.”
According to Higgins, the department receives noise complaints during every fireworks season, and all calls are looked into and responded to by the department.
“Its not a real problem, and no arrests because of noise complaints,” he added.
Fireworks are also allowed year-round outside city limits in Acadia Parish, but the parish’s noise ordinance goes into effect at 11 p.m.
In Evangeline Parish, fireworks are not allowed within any city limits in the parish. Those living outside city limits will be allowed to pop fireworks until midnight on the Fourth of July, and 10 p.m. all other nights during the year.
“We have had problems with them (those popping fireworks) after hours over the years, but we will go out there and shut them down,” said Monica Reed, sergeant of communications for the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office.