TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. — Hundreds of thousands of people enjoyed fireworks shows with family across the Tampa Bay area this July 4th, capping off a day of parades, grilling and lounging on the beach.
Cities all across our area had their celebrations, and you've likely heard the thunderous booms in your neighborhood with families enjoying their own fireworks displays.
But one local city is saying, "not here," after folks left for safety in Treasure Island last year.
Leaders said personal displays of fireworks had them worried about people's safety. So last month, they vowed to start enforcing local rules already on the books to prevent chaos this year.
For the most part, beachgoers got the message and left the fireworks to the pros.
Sara Busacca spent her Independence Day as a beach ambassador, reminding folks to take their trash, not to harm the sea turtles by covering up any dug holes, and don't use personal fireworks.
"We're asking folks just enjoy the commercial fireworks, the pros and not the personal [ones]," she said to one family under a canopy.
Last year she said it got dangerous when people started shooting off their own.
“We had something land right next to us and there was a [piece of wood] that almost caught fire,” she recalled. “We were stomping it out. It just becomes unsafe.”
This year the city said not to even try to bring fireworks onto the beach because it violates three ordinances — leaving behind trash, bright lights that disrupt the breeding patterns of sea turtles, and using open flame.
“I don't like the trash and I’m tired of people getting hurt,” said beachgoer Theresa Talbot. “People are irresponsible and they're letting kids do it and it's just too dangerous, I think.”
Police and firefighters patrolled all day and night, and while 10 Tampa Bay spotted a few people setting them off, it didn't look anything like last year, when personal fireworks went off constantly before the city’s official display.
“We just want everyone to have a good, safe, happy Fourth of July,” said Treasure Island Fire Chief Trip Barrs. “First, they'll just be education and then a warning, and if the illegal activity persists, then police will write a citation for whichever ordinance is violated.”
As day turned to night, the crowds plopped down in the sand and looked up to enjoy our American tradition, but let others put on the show.
There are some who wanted a fireworks ban in the city but with the law that allows personal fireworks on the 4th and New Year's, it also prevents cities from enacting a new ban of their own.