With the 4th of July just around the corner, law enforcement officers across Kentucky will be responding to complaints about things that go boom. In Woodford County, the Versailles Police Department patrols the entire county. Chief Mike Murray said state laws include these provisions:
“He or she is at least 18 years old. The fireworks are not ignited within 200 feet of any structure vehicle or any person. And the use of the fireworks does not place him or her and violation of any of the lawfully enacted local ordinances.”
In Woodford County, the cities of Versailles and Midway prohibit the use of fireworks outside a period of days before and after the 4th of July and other holidays. Murray said his department launches education campaigns this time of year – sometimes, at the scene of complaints.
“What you find is a lot of people are unfamiliar with what the state law is. And you'd be surprised of the people that don't know that we have city and county ordinances in place as well.”
In Woodford and other counties with horse farms, farm owners have complained of their horses getting spooked by fireworks and being seriously injured or killed.
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