For as loud as some celebratory explosives can be during the Halloween weekend, it was a relatively quiet night in Agassiz-Harrison, according to local RCMP.
Spokesperson Sgt. Mike Sargent said the Agassiz RCMP received and responded to three fireworks-related complaints on Halloween night in Harrison Hot Springs and in the Popkum area. By the time officers came to the scene each time, the fireworks were done. There were no injuries or fireworks-related fires in the area during that time.
Sargent said additional detachment resources were brought in to patrol Agassiz and Harrison to keep trick or treaters safe and deter the use of fireworks.
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Fireworks are a time-honoured if somewhat controversial tradition on Halloween.
While the provincial Fireworks Act allows for fireworks in designated areas between Oct. 24 and Nov. 1 as the only time in which fireworks may be sold or set off, this act only applies in municipalities that declare the act is applicable and in rural areas designated by regulation.
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In the District of Kent, no one may sell or set off fireworks except those with an approved display permit submitted by anyone 18 and older 10 days prior to the event. The display permit application fee is $50. Those in violation of the bylaw face a broad range of fines anywhere from a $100 minimum to more than $10,000.
Similarly, in Harrison Hot Springs, fireworks are prohibited outside of approved display permits; permit application fees in the village are $10. Maximum fines for fireworks violations exceed $10,000.
Fireworks can be purchased on First Nations land adjacent to the district or the village, and even then a number of local resolutions prevent legal sale. Purchase of fireworks on First Nations land doesn’t mean they can be set off within the district or the village.
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