Treasure Island commissioners consider banning fireworks from beaches

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Fireworks could soon be banned on Treasure Island beaches and in city parks.

In Tuesday’s city commission workshop, commissioners discussed potential changes to a city parks ordinance.

The amended ordinance, if approved as written, would ban “personal fireworks displays” from parks and beaches, but it has quite a way to go before it’s put up for a vote.

Treasure Island Police Chief John F. Barkley said officials witnessed “quite the display of personal fireworks on the beach” on the 4th of July. He requested the commission modify the ordinance to counteract a change in Florida law.

“Probably the reason it’s been more intense than in the past is because the state of Florida has, of course, legalized fireworks, the purchase of them,” Barkley said. “You no longer have to go across state lines or walk into a fireworks store and say you’re trying to scare away birds from your crops, which was the joke of it before.”

Barkley described beachgoers firing off carts full of fireworks, saying the collective personal displays were more “intense” than the city-sponsored event.

“We were taken aback by that. The potential for danger was there,” Barkley said.

In addition to being a “safety and security concern,” beachgoers left a lot of trash behind.

The issue was added to the May 21 commission meeting for discussion. In the meantime, commissioners have to address some legal concerns, including contradiction with a Florida law that took the right to prohibit fireworks away from municipalities.

City Manager Gary Brumback said the commission will work with the city attorney to iron out those legal concerns before this year’s 4th of July.

If Treasure Island bans fireworks, it would be the fourth Pinellas County municipality to do so. Belleair Beach, Redington Beach and North Redington Beach each have local ordinances in place to address the issue.

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