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Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Are July 4th fireworks legal in Florida? What to know about buying them, when to set them off
It's time once again to celebrate the birthday of the United States with a long weekend, cookouts, and brightly colored explosions from backyard pyrotechnicians. Fireworks tents dot the landscape and big economy packages of fireworks are popping up in Costco. But are they legal in Florida? Noisy or projectile fireworks are not, most of the time. But a 2020 Florida law established three fireworks 'holidays' when they're allowed, subject to grandfathered local ordinances: New Year's Eve, December 31 New Year's Day, January 1 Independence Day (Fourth of July) So, if you fire off your "Temper Tantrum" artillery shells from your driveway on those specific three nights, you're fine as far as the state is concerned. (But be safe. More than 14,700 people were treated in emergency rooms last year for fireworks injuries and there were 11 deaths, according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. Of all the injuries, 37% were burns, with 36% of them to hands and fingers and 22% to the head, face and ears.) What does Florida consider to be a legal firework? And what about the rest of the year? Here's what you need to know about staying legal and safe with fireworks. Florida allows fireworks in two instances. First, those three holidays are exempt from the fireworks laws on the books. Floridians also are permitted to purchase and set off fireworks provided they are used "solely and exclusively in frightening birds from agricultural works and fish hatcheries." That's why when you go to fireworks tents all year long to buy a cartload of "Chroma Color-Changing 4-inch XL Canister Shells" you have to sign a waiver affirming that you're only buying them to scare away crows or something. Winking at the dealer is not necessary. Consumer fireworks classified as 1.4G sparklers, including sparklers, fountains, ground spinners, snakes, glow worms and party poppers, are legal all year, according to the Florida Sheriffs Association. According to Florida law, fireworks are 'any combustible or explosive composition or substance or combination of substances … prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation.' Basically, that includes anything that flies, visibly explodes and/or audibly goes boom with the notable exception of sparklers, cap guns, smoke bombs, cigarette loads, party poppers, and snappers, which were already legal to use in Florida. Yes, Florida statutes define cigarette loads. Crackling explosions or singular pops: How to tell the difference between fireworks and gunshots You must be 18 years of age or older to legally buy fireworks in Florida. Yes. On the three designated holidays, you can set off Roman candles, bottle rockets, aerial fireworks, fountains and other novelty firecrackers without having to prove an agricultural need. However, on the days leading up to the holiday and from July 5 onward, setting them off is illegal in the state of Florida. Boom! Whoosh! Exploding mannequins illustrate what happens when you don't handle fireworks safely Florida law allows fireworks on those three days, but it doesn't overrule any existing local government ordinances or neighborhood HOA covenants and restrictions that were already on the books. If it wasn't OK in your neighborhood or city before 2021, it's not OK now. Check with your local government or HOA for details. There just won't be any new restrictions. The law specifically prohibits cities and HOAs from creating new rules to prevent residents from taking advantage of the fireworks holidays. The law doesn't specify a time, so technically a person would have until 11:59 p.m. on July 4 when the official day ends and a new day begins. However, nearly every community prohibits excessive, unnecessary or unreasonable noise so you're better off using up the noisiest fireworks earlier in the evening. Contact your city or HOA for the specific noise or nuisance laws where you live. No. Unless you have an agricultural or fish hatchery exemption, you're going to have to save them for New Year's. Your neighbors will probably thank you for sticking firm to the legal days as well. Kaboom! Yipe! How to protect your dog from freaking out over Fourth of July fireworks Unlikely. The statute makes selling fireworks a first-degree misdemeanor, apart from the listed exemptions, but there is no stated penalty for the people with the lighters. The statute does specifically say, however, that a sheriff or sheriff's appointee may seize any fireworks in violation. You still may be charged with violating local ordinances against noise or public disruption, or in relation to any damage caused, at the discrepancy of local law enforcement. Here are guidelines for fireworks safety from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Florida Department of Financial Services: Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit—hot enough to melt some metals. Glow sticks are safe and fun for kids. Make sure fireworks are legal in your area, and only purchase and set off fireworks that are labeled for consumer (not professional) use. Never use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy, in case of fire or other mishap. Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly. Never try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and throw them away. Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Move to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks. Never point or throw fireworks (including sparklers) at anyone. After fireworks complete their burning, to prevent a trash fire, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding the device. Remember your neighbors and pets – Always keep pets inside and a safe distance from fireworks. Also, be mindful that many in our state, including first responders and veterans, suffer from PTSD and your celebration could impact their symptoms. Stay away from unapproved sparklers – Per Florida Statute, the State Fire Marshal's Office is responsible for updating an annual list of approved sparklers. Never use sparklers without close adult supervision. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Fourth of July fireworks in Florida: Are they legal?
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DeSantis suspends Osceola County Sheriff after he is arrested on racketeering charges
Suspended Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez (Photo from the Florida Sheriffs Association) Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez from office on Thursday shortly after he was arrested on felony charges of racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier's Office of Statewide Prosecution charged Lopez and four other individuals in a 'massive Central Florida gambling operation,' according to a press release issued by the attorney general's office. 'Initially engaging the operation for campaign contributions and personal payments, Sheriff Lopez played a multifaceted role in expanding and protecting this illegal enterprise, using his office to shield the enterprise from law enforcement,' the release said. DeSantis has appointed Christopher Blackmon to take over the Osceola County Sheriff's Department. Blackmon has been serving as the Central Region Chief for the Florida Highway Patrol since November 2023 , and before that served as a troop commander and major in the FHP. Between 2007-2016 he worked as a resident security agent for Major League Baseball, according to his LinkedIn account. Lopez began serving in the Osceola County Sheriff's Department in 2003 while he was still serving in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He rose up the ranks before ultimately being elected sheriff in 2020, becoming the first Hispanic in Osceola County to do so. A Democrat, he was re-elected last fall. There had been scandals under Lopez's tenure, including a 2022 sheriff deputies' killing of a man who drove a car carrying two passengers accused of shoplifting $46 in pizza and Pokemon cards. A grand jury report later said the killing could have been avoided if not for their faulty judgement and their department's 'poorly crafted policies on the use of appropriate force in response to minor crimes,' the Orlando Sentinel reported. Lopez also ended up agreeing to pay a $250 fine last December in a plea deal with then-State Attorney Andrew Bain for inadvertently posting a photo on social media of a crime victim who was a minor. That later led Bain to add Lopez's name to his office's Brady Identification System, which lists the names of law enforcement officers who have a history of misconduct. The AG's press release says a multi-agency investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and joined by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement began looking into Lopez and his associates starting in 2023. The investigation ultimately uncovered 'a criminal organization operating an illegal gambling enterprise throughout Central Florida, particularly in Lake and Osceola Counties.' Lopez and his associates ran a lottery, slot machines, and a 'gambling house out of a business known as Fusion Social Club,' according to the charging document filed in Florida's Fifth Judicial Circuit. The alleged criminal operation generated $21.6 million in profits, according to the AG's office. According to an official with the Lake County Jail, Lopez is being held without bond pending a June 30 arraignment. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Back the Blue? Lawmakers remain divided on bill regarding anonymous complaints about law enforcement
Police squad car lights. (Stock photo by) A proposal that would lift the anonymity of people filing complaints against a law enforcement officers advanced in a Florida House committee on Thursday, even though key players in Florida law enforcement are divided about whether the legislation is truly 'Backing the Blue.' The proposal sponsored by Miami-Dade Republican Tom Fabricio (HB 317) would require a person who initially files an anonymous complaint about a law or corrections officer in the state to have to give up his or her anonymity before any interrogation of that officer can commence. Both the Florida Sheriffs Association and the Florida Police Chiefs Association oppose the bill. 'It will not increase accountability,' said Tampa International Airport Police Department Chief Charlie Vasquez, who is serving as president of the Florida Police Chiefs Association. 'It will make it more difficult to hold officers accountable when they have serious misconduct.' But other parts of the law enforcement community do support the measure, such as the Florida Fraternal Order of Police. A member of that organization, Miami Police officer Felix Del Rosario, said the proposal is about fairness, integrity, 'and the protection of those who dedicate their lives to public service.' Del Rosario added that, for too long, police officers in Florida have been subjected to 'prolonged and ambiguous investigations.' 'This legislation helps address those inequities,' he said, 'by ensuring that officers have timely access to their complete investigative file, providing safeguards against unfounded and malicious allegations that can have long lasting affects on an officers' reputation, career, and upholding the principals process and equal treatment under the law.' Orange County Democratic Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis noted how the Legislature last year effectively eliminated civilian review boards designed to oversee certain local law enforcement, which was supported by the sheriffs and police chiefs, so why wouldn't they support those agencies on this piece of legislation? 'I feel like I'm in an alternate universe right now because I hear from this chamber, from this committee, often times that we need to 'Back the Blue.' And the Blue just spoke. What I wrote down from the police chief is that this bill will make it more difficult to hold officers accountable when they participate in misconduct,' she said. And Bracy Davis, who is Black, said she was speaking as a representative of a minority-majority district with constituents who in some cases 'have apprehension when it comes to dealing with police officers.' 'So, not only do I 'Back the Blue', but I also back the Black, and I back the Brown.' Rep. Bruce Antone, who also is Black, said he opposed the bill which, ultimately would repeal anonymity for a complainant once law enforcement begins interrogating the accused officer. Antone listed three separate occasions when he was harassed by law enforcement. South Florida Democratic Rep. Mike Gottlieb said he disagreed with the notion that if he opposed the bill he somehow was not 'Backing the Blue.' 'We have many masters, and in a bill like this we have the administration, we have the rank and file, the law enforcement officers who are on the street fighting day and day out to protect the society, and we have the citizens, and each one of us represents approximately 175,000 individuals,' he said. 'And to come here and tell us that if we vote no on this product we don't 'Back the Blue?' That's just not true.' But Republicans on the committee said that while the administrators and lobbyists for Florida's top law enforcement agencies oppose the bill, actual cops on the street support it, and that should be good enough. 'All we're saying is, if you have a complaint against someone, just like if you're going to accuse someone in a court of law, put your face on it,' said Hillsborough County GOP Rep. Danny Alvarez, whose job outside of the Legislature is general counsel for the Tampa Police Benevolent Association. 'And if you can't put your face and name on it, then it's not worthy of going forward and smearing this person for the rest of their career.' Alvarez added that the bill was 'for the cop, not the sergeant, not the captain, and not the chief.' Last week, when the bill was heard in the House Government Operations Subcommittee, Jennifer 'Cookie' Pritt, executive director of Florida Police Chiefs Association, gave highly personal testimony regarding an incident involving a herself and a high-ranking command officer as a real life example of why she opposed the bill. She chose not to comment publicly on the measure on Thursday. Ultimately, the House Judiciary Committee voted 16-4 to advance the bill, and it now moves to the full House for consideration. But it may not end up becoming law this year, as its Senate companion (SB 516) has yet to be heard in any committee in that chamber. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Miami Herald
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
With feds out of Florida beds, sheriffs say they're ready to hold undocumented criminals
All of the state's 67 counties have entered agreements with federal immigration authorities to detain undocumented immigrant criminals in jails, the Florida Sheriffs Association announced on Monday as the state rushes to assist President Donald Trump's mass deportation efforts. The agreements bring counties into compliance with part of a state law (SB 2-C) passed during a special legislative session this month aimed at boosting enforcement of illegal immigration. Under the agreements, sheriffs' deputies with special training can process immigration 'detainers' issued by federal authorities to keep inmates in jail. The inmates can be kept up to 48 hours before being picked up by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. The 'warrant service officer' program is a key part of the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration and focuses on undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes or been ordered to be deported by judges, according to Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri. Gualtieri has worked closely with Trump administration officials as they make changes to what is known as the '287(g)' program that allows local law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts. 'Their priority is apprehending and deporting as quickly as possible those who are criminally illegal, public safety threats, national security threats, those who have been previously deported and come back again,' Gualtieri said Monday at a news conference in Winter Haven. 'The most pressing need they have is people who are booked into our jails … so these people are not released back into our community to commit more crimes.' Training for deputies to participate in the program, which Gualtieri said was halted throughout former President Joe Biden's tenure, is expected to ramp up quickly. READ MORE: Lawmakers just made Florida a harsher place for immigrants here illegally. This is how: 'Implementing the process under which all jails will be able to hold these criminals is well underway, and we hope to have it fully operational within the next 15 to 30 days,' Gualtieri said. 'This is a big deal because it means criminals like these, people who kill, people who steal, people who break into people's houses, people who rape kids, will be deported directly from jail and not released back to the street. … It just makes sense, from the jail out of here, as opposed to, [from] the jail back to the street.' As state and local efforts accelerate, sheriffs warned that the Trump administration needs to quickly increase the number of beds available for undocumented immigrants waiting to be processed and deported. Federal immigration authorities have about 2,000 beds in Florida 'and they're full,' Gualtieri said. The Pinellas County sheriff said he is holding 150 undocumented immigrants on detainers at his jail, which has 3,000 inmates. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said bed capacity is the 'number one' issue for federal immigration authorities. Florida sheriffs are conducting an inventory of available beds, but the anticipated ramp-up of county enforcement efforts could 'overwhelm the current ability to house people in days,' according to Judd. FLORIDA POLITICS: One group is being spared from Florida's immigration crackdown: companies 'There's not capacity in the Florida sheriffs or the county jails to make any negligible difference,' Judd said. 'We will overwhelm this system very rapidly and we intend to work very aggressively but that's why we're here making this statement today. They have to create capacity.' Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell, who serves as president of the sheriffs association, said sheriffs are getting educated about 'very, very complex' immigration laws as the federal government revamps enforcement programs. 'It's all very fluid,' Prummell said. 'We're all trying to catch on and learn how this works. … There's a lot of chaos up there in D.C. still, so sometimes the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing up there. So we're trying to get a whole handle on what's going on up there so we can start implementing policies, procedures and what we need to do to get the job done, to keep our citizens safe here.' The new Florida immigration law also created a State Board of Immigration Enforcement, which is made up of Gov. Ron DeSantis, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Attorney General James Uthmeier and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. Decisions made by the board must be unanimous. The board met for the first time last week and named as its executive director Larry Keefe, a former North Florida federal prosecutor who served as DeSantis' 'public safety czar.' Lawmakers during the special session also approved a measure (SB 4-C) that makes it a state crime for undocumented immigrants to enter or attempt to enter Florida. People who violate the law face a mandatory nine-month jail sentence. Kara Gross, legislative director and senior policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, told reporters Monday that the law is 'overly broad and vague' and will 'lead to rampant racial profiling' of people who are perceived to be immigrants. 'This law and the rhetoric surrounding it create an environment that will inevitably lead to racial and ethnic profiling of anyone perceived to be an immigrant based on the color of their skin, the accent in their voice, the neighborhoods they live in, or the restaurants and businesses they frequent,' Gross said. But the sheriffs pushed back when asked if the new laws would result in racial profiling. 'We're tired of hearing that crap. That's BS,' Judd said. Local and federal officials are targeting undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes or those who have been ordered to leave the country, he argued. 'Take a deep breath. Save that crazy talk for somebody else. … We've got a plate full of illegal immigrants committing crimes and warrants to deport those that have flaunted the system, and all this crazy talk just scares people that don't need to be scared. Just follow what the federal government tells you to do when they tell you to do it,' Judd said.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Florida sheriffs gear up to aid immigration enforcement under new state law
The Brief Florida's 67 counties have agreed to detain undocumented immigrants with criminal records under a new state law supporting federal deportation efforts. Sheriffs warn detention facilities may quickly become overwhelmed, while critics fear racial profiling. Officials expect the program to be fully operational within 15 to 30 days. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Florida Sheriffs Association announced on Monday that agencies in all of Florida's counties will assist federal immigration authorities in detaining undocumented immigrant criminals in jails. What we know All 67 Florida counties have signed agreements with federal immigration authorities to detain undocumented immigrants with criminal records. This move aligns with state law SB 2-C, passed during a special legislative session to bolster enforcement of illegal immigration. Under the agreements, specially trained sheriff's deputies can process federal immigration detainers, holding inmates for up to 48 hours before U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) takes custody. Officials expect the program to be fully operational within 15 to 30 days. What we don't know It remains unclear how Florida and federal agencies will address the shortage of detention beds. Sheriffs have warned that the increased enforcement could overwhelm the system within days. Additionally, concerns persist about how these laws will be enforced without racial profiling, though law enforcement officials deny this will be an issue. The long-term effectiveness and logistical challenges of these policies remain uncertain. The backstory Florida's collaboration with ICE is part of a broader immigration crackdown tied to the Trump administration's 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement to assist in deportation efforts. Training for these programs was reportedly halted under President Joe Biden but is now resuming under new state laws. The newly created State Board of Immigration Enforcement, led by Gov. Ron DeSantis, oversees the implementation of these policies, and lawmakers have also passed legislation making it a state crime for undocumented immigrants to enter Florida. Big picture view Florida's aggressive immigration policies reflect a larger national debate over enforcement and state involvement in federal immigration efforts. While supporters argue the measures will improve public safety by deporting criminals, opponents warn of potential civil rights violations and racial profiling. The issue also raises logistical concerns, as existing detention facilities may not have the capacity to handle the anticipated influx of detainees. What they're saying Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri has worked closely with Trump administration officials as they make changes to what is known as the "287(g)" program that allows local law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts. "Their priority is apprehending and deporting as quickly as possible those who are criminally illegal, public safety threats, national security threats, those who have been previously deported and come back again," Gualtieri said Training for deputies to participate in the program, which Gualtieri said was halted throughout former President Joe Biden's tenure, is expected to ramp up quickly. "Implementing the process under which all jails will be able to hold these criminals is well underway, and we hope to have it fully operational within the next 15 to 30 days," Gualtieri said. "This is a big deal because it means criminals like these, people who kill, people who steal, people who break into people's houses, people who rape kids, will be deported directly from jail and not released back to the street. … It just makes sense, from the jail out of here, as opposed to, (from) the jail back to the street." Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said bed capacity is the "number one" issue for federal immigration authorities. Florida sheriffs are conducting an inventory of available beds, but the anticipated ramp-up of county enforcement efforts could "overwhelm the current ability to house people in days," according to Judd. "There's not capacity in the Florida sheriffs or the county jails to make any negligible difference," Judd said. "We will overwhelm this system very rapidly and we intend to work very aggressively but that's why we're here making this statement today. They have to create capacity." Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell, who serves as president of the sheriffs association, said sheriffs are getting educated about "very, very complex" immigration laws as the federal government revamps enforcement programs. "It's all very fluid," Prummell said. "We're all trying to catch on and learn how this works. … There's a lot of chaos up there in D.C. still, so sometimes the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing up there. So we're trying to get a whole handle on what's going on up there so we can start implementing policies, procedures and what we need to do to get the job done, to keep our citizens safe here." Kara Gross, legislative director and senior policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, told reporters Monday that the law is "overly broad and vague" and will "lead to rampant racial profiling" of people who are perceived to be immigrants. "This law and the rhetoric surrounding it create an environment that will inevitably lead to racial and ethnic profiling of anyone perceived to be an immigrant based on the color of their skin, the accent in their voice, the neighborhoods they live in, or the restaurants and businesses they frequent," Gross said. But the sheriffs pushed back when asked if the new laws would result in racial profiling. "We're tired of hearing that crap. That's BS," Judd said. "Take a deep breath. Save that crazy talk for somebody else. … We've got a plate full of illegal immigrants committing crimes and warrants to deport those that have flaunted the system, and all this crazy talk just scares people that don't need to be scared. Just follow what the federal government tells you to do when they tell you to do it," Judd said. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by The News Service of Florida.
