Despite the fact that fireworks use is only legal on July 4 from 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. in Newton, the Police Department began receiving reports of illegal fireworks in early June.
From June 1 – July 12 the department responded to 124 fireworks calls and issued nine citations for violations. The number of fireworks calls is down slightly from 2018 when the department responded to 142 calls and issued seven citations.
Calls to the Newton Police Department for illegal use on July 4 remained the same with 19 calls being reported each year over the past two years.
The Fire Department reported 2 EMS calls relating to fireworks injuries. The patients were transported to Iowa City with injuries ranging from minor to serious.