Fireworks season is here and some residents aren’t celebrating

What the recreational tax renewal means for the community

By Charles Sercombe
Brace yourselves.
As many residents are keenly aware, this Fourth of July offers a number of festivities in the metro area – including fireworks.
And, by fireworks, we mean all sorts – including ones that sound like they came from military arsenals — in Hamtramck’s neighborhoods.
As usual, a number of residents are not pleased with the incessant fireworks going off at any and all times of the year.
Hamtramck police are reminding residents that fireworks displays are legal in Michigan, and there is little the city can do to prevent the practice.
The Fourth of July fireworks season here for residents started officially on June 29, as allowed by state law, and goes through July 4, but only until 11:45 p.m. on each day.
Yes, we know, those hours are treated as mere suggestions here in town.
Also, minors cannot possess or use fireworks, and it’s illegal to sell or provide fireworks to anyone under the age of 18.
And once again, we know this is routinely ignored in town.
The police department says there will be stepped-up patrols, but the department also acknowledges that it’s impossible for them to be everywhere at once.
On social media, the keyboard warriors were up in arms – complaining about their pets being frightened, or concerned over the city’s houses being mostly wood frames and too close together – posing a special fire hazard potential.
Marty Shockman, a well-known electrician in town, focused his complaint about fireworks use on the danger they pose to Hamtramck houses.
“You’re allowing this in a city with all wood-frame houses that are 100 years old or more, and on every block I’ve driven down in the last three weeks has two or more fire hydrants that are tagged out of service, and no one is repairing them. Seriously?” he said.
Lynette Marie said the city wasn’t always this – er, festive – years ago.
“When I was a kid, fireworks in Hamtramck were one day, on the 4th, at Pulaski Park, controlled by adults only,” Marie said. “For Hamtramck to allow the free-for-all, all year long, as it does, is ridiculous!”
Technically, the city does not allow fireworks all year-round, but there are a number of holidays – both religious and secular – when the city allows fireworks to be shot off.
State law allows communities to expand fireworks use.
Published July 2, 2026