North Idaho agencies prepare to enforce law

Bonner County Lieut. Doug Harris has a rule of thumb that echoes other North Idaho police departments for the festive July 4th weekend.

“Things that go boom or fly up in the air are illegal,” he said, a law that also exists in Boundary, Benewah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties. “Safe and sane” personal fireworks such as sparklers or other non-aerial items are allowed.

No fireworks of any kind will be permitted in Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and Sandpoint parks. The same goes for Coeur d’Alene’s Tubbs Hill.

Officials will increase patrols across North Idaho during the holiday weekend. They will also watch for fireworks purchased at Indian reservations or brought back from Montana, a state with more flexible fireworks limits.

The Coeur d’Alene Police Department says the biggest complaints involve fireworks landing on roofs and the noise. Violation of the fireworks code is considered a misdemeanor and subject to a fine $300.

With the midweek holiday date and a wet spring, Shoshone County Undersheriff Mitch Alexander isn’t too concerned. “I think we’re just gonna see a lot of families having barbecues this year,” he said.