As the nation gears up for the annual Fourth of July festivities this Thursday, the City of Fort Worth is sending out a clear reminder ahead of the celebrations: fireworks are a no-go within city limits. With a focus on keeping the festivities safe and sound, the Fort Worth Fire and Police departments are stressing the City's ordinance which states, "The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling and use of fireworks are prohibited." They further elaborate on the hefty consequences that come with violations—up to a $2,000 fine, according to the City of Fort Worth.
Law enforcement has laid out an enforcement strategy to tackle illegal fireworks activities, depending on the volume of calls swamping the Communications and 911 systems and the number of officers rolling into action. Monitoring social media and employing surveillance cameras are also part of their intelligence-gathering mix. The Police Department, gearing up for the occasion, promises additional resources working overtime across patrol divisions to respond to the calls—prioritizing emergencies and high-priority service calls.
Fort Worth residents looking to report illegal firecracker shenanigans are being advised to stay off the 911 lines. Instead, they should report through the MyFW App, dial 817-392-4444, or simply use a QR code showcased below in the official flyer. The department is hoping this measure will keep the emergency lines clear for genuine emergencies.
Leaving the pyrotechnics to the professionals, Fort Worth's Fourth celebration at Panther Island is the city's go-to event for some safe, legal, and spectacular fireworks. Celebrating its 17th year, the display is touted as one of the best in North Texas. The event kicks off at 5 p.m. on July 4th at Panthera Island Pavilion, and spectators can view the map for the best seating options. With the measures put in place by the Fort Worth authorities, they are making it clear—they want you to have a blast but within the confines of the law.
