Chief of Police Ernest Brown and the City of Darien would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone about the dangers of fireworks. With the Fourth of July approaching, many people will attend one of the many professional fireworks displays, but many still will also have their own displays. The Police Department will be out enforcing the Local Ordinances and State Laws, making arrests for those caught possessing or using Illegal Fireworks in the City. The City hopes that all residents take this very seriously as the City has adopted a "zero-tolerance" position toward unpermitted fireworks displays. Violations of the City's Fireworks Ordinance will result in a court fine of up to $500.

In Illinois, only certain fireworks are legal, such as smoke pellets, smoke grenades, glow snakes and sparklers. However, Sparklers are the No. 1 cause of injuries related to fireworks. Hand-held fireworks, bottle rockets, roman candles, buzz bombs and sky rockets are illegal without a license. In spite of all of this, many people will make the trip to other states to buy fireworks and bring them back to Illinois.   

To report illegal fireworks please dial 9-1-1