Although the sale and use of fireworks are legal in neighboring parishes, St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne reminds all St. Charles Parish residents that possessing or discharging fireworks in St. Charles Parish without a permit is illegal.

The St. Charles Parish Council outlawed the use of fireworks in Ordinance 92-10-23. St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies will be enforcing this ordinance over the New Year’s holiday.

“We will be citing violators and responding to complaints as well as seizing fireworks,” said Champagne.

Additional deputies will be deployed during the New Year’s holiday weekend to beef up enforcement of this activity. The St. Charles Parish Council earlier this year considered and rejected a proposal to legalize fireworks in St. Charles Parish.

“It was made clear at that time that a majority of the parish council and the parish president want this law to be enforced, and that is what we plan to do,” said the sheriff. “We won’t catch everyone, especially as the midnight hour approaches, but we will be citing violators”.

Also, deputies will respond to specific complaints.

“If the complaint is anonymous, deputies can and will issue a citation if they are able to positively identify who is discharging the fireworks,” Champagne said. “We can also issue a summons if the complainant is willing to sign a complaint form as a witness to the discharge of fireworks and can identify the responsible person.”

Anyone found to be violating the fireworks ban, a misdemeanor crime, can be fined up to $100 and/or imprisoned for up to 30 days.