By David Vitrano
L’Observateur

HAHNVILLE – This Tuesday residents of St. Charles Parish will be able to discharge fireworks legally for the first time in nearly 40 years.
On July 3, the St. Charles Parish Council narrowly approved an ordinance legalizing the discharge of fireworks in the parish during certain designated times, but the move came too late for July 4 festivities. The sale of fireworks is still illegal in the parish.
The approved times for discharging fireworks are Dec. 31, from 9 a.m. until 1 a.m. and then on Jan. 1, from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m.
The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office has noted the following regulations regarding the discharge of fireworks:
• No fireworks can be discharged within 1,000 feet of a gas station or industrial facility.
• No person shall explode or ignite fireworks within 1,000 feet of any church, hospital, asylum, school, public building or fireworks retail location.
• No person shall ignite or discharge fireworks in a motor vehicle or throw fireworks from a motor vehicle.
• No person shall place an ignited article of fireworks in or throw an ignited article of fireworks at a motor vehicle.
The release continued: “The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office has already begun to receive complaints regarding the discharge of fireworks prior to the date and time allowed by the parish council. We have issued some citations as a result and will continue to do so. Along with the right to use fireworks comes the responsibility as well to respect the law and the safety and rights of neighbors. Many of our citizens successfully lobbied the Parish Council for this legislative change in the law. Failure to fully abide by all laws could very easily result in the law being changed back to a complete prohibition. Please act responsibly. We also urge those of you who choose to discharge fireworks on New Year’s Eve to clean up the mess you leave behind.”