2 local cities considering banning fireworks

FAIRBORN — Two local cities are looking into either opting in or out of an Ohio law that allows residents to set off fireworks.

In the past two years, Dayton and Beavercreek have already banned fireworks.

Now, Fairborn and Oakwood may be doing the same.

Last November, Gov. DeWine passed a law saying Ohio residents will be allowed to set off consumer-grade fireworks 20 days out of the year around the holidays.

>>READ MORE: Governor signs new Ohio fireworks law allowing for legal launching on certain holidays

Fairborn city leaders say they plan to ban fireworks within city limits for a few reasons.

News Center 7 Kayla McDermott spoke with Fairborn Police Chief Terry Bennington about the ban, and he said everyone on his police advisory board is in support of banning fireworks.

The first reason is that it could cause property damages.

“The houses are really close together. Obviously, fire is a concern or something like that will happen that people have that many days to shoot off fireworks and go from there,” said Bennington.

The second reason Cheif Bennington wants the ban to go through is to help those with PTSD.

“Fairborn is a military town. We have a lot of folks here, unfortunately, suffering from PTSD. We get a lot of complaints on the Fourth of July about that type of thing.” Bennington continued, “I think it would affect the mental health of some of the individuals who work here or live here.”

Fairborn Mayor Paul Keller is having a public meeting tonight to talk about the proposal to ban fireworks.

>>Fireworks seized from Greene County property

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