06/30/2026
Renewing our annual 4th of July plea (this year we choose to use a picture that shows the fireworks we can see in nature!) and we hope you will help spread the word.
We’d like to talk for just a moment about fireworks, and we hope that we can do this civilly, without everyone getting cranked up on both sides of the issue. We understand PTSD issues, personal liberty, scared pets and the representation of our nation’s great founding (especially this year). There are valid “arguments” both for and against consumer use of fireworks. We don’t want to get into any of that.
We only want to talk about public safety. Fireworks are legal, but they are legal with conditions, and one of those conditions is that they not be used within 150’ of an occupied building. That, coupled with the fact that they must be used on property where the owner consents to the use, means that they are effectively illegal in almost any densely populated area like the City and boroughs around the county.
Every year, leading up the 4th, we receive calls for personal injury accidents and fires caused by inappropriate use of fireworks.
Equally as concerning, every year 9-1-1 is tied up answering fireworks complaint calls while other emergency calls are delayed in being answered due to the volume of incoming calls. Worse is that we cannot even plan for this anymore. It used to be the night of the 4th that required additional attention. In recent years, it is randomly weeks before and after the holiday.
This year, please think of the safety of yourself, your family, and your neighbors. Don’t use fireworks in densely populated areas
where you cannot do so safely, and where you place the lives and property of everyone at risk.
If someone near you is using fireworks inappropriately, ask yourself whether a 9-1-1 call is needed. If it continues, and the use does not comply with the law, and you want to have an officer respond but have no real emergency, consider using the non-9-1-1 means to contact your law enforcement agency so that 9-1-1 lines remain open and can be answered with priority.
For the City of Reading and Kenhorst Borough that # is 610-655-6116
For jurisdictions covered by PA State Police out of Reading that # is 610-378-4011
For jurisdictions covered by PA State Police out of Hamburg that # is 610-562-6885
For all other jurisdictions in Berks County with local police coverage that # is 610-655-4911
OBVIOUSLY, if there is a public safety emergency requiring the immediate response of fire, police or EMS call 9-1-1.
