MNPD Arrests Two in Fireworks Related Incidents

A lit Sparkler on Independence Day. Photo by Josh Wickerham. Wikimedia Commons

Two Nashville teenagers were arrested over the 4th of July holiday for separate incidents involving fireworks. But it’s still unclear whether Metro Police stuck to its “no tolerance” policy on fireworks this year.

The two arrests had little to do with the department’s warning about fireworks because of the dry conditions. One 18-year-old walking downtown fired a Roman candle at undercover police in the area, according to a report. Another young man who is homeless was shooting bottle rockets into traffic near Broadway.

This year Metro Police threatened citations just for the use of fireworks. A spokesperson says it won’t be known how many tickets were handed out until those who were cited show up in court possibly a month from now. The flash of backyard fireworks could be seen all over the city, but the police spokesperson says there were no major incidents.

While the use of fireworks has been banned since the heat wave of 1983, Metro Police have only cited one person each of the last three years.