During the upcoming New Year’s Eve celebration in the municipality of Smallingerland, nobody is permitted to ignite F2-fireworks. Mayor Fred Veenstra has decided not to grant any exemptions from the national ban on firing off F2-fireworks that applies during the holiday.
Enforcement Arithmetic Drives the Decision
The primary reason behind the refusal comes down to simple enforcement arithmetic. According to a letter sent by the executive board of mayor and aldermen (B&W) to the municipal council, police and municipal enforcement personnel have indicated that their deployment during New Year’s Eve is needed in particular to monitor illegal fireworks. Granting exemptions would require officials to check on location whether fireworks are being lit according to the specified conditions. The municipality does not want to lose capacity for those checks, especially now that carbide shooting also demands capacity from municipal enforcement officers (boa’s).
The municipal letter states that officials do not find it desirable to divide the limited available capacity during this first New Year’s Eve under the national fireworks ban across multiple organized fireworks initiatives. Instead, the municipality wants to deploy its enforcers as targeted as possible where they are needed most from the perspective of public order and safety.
Did You Know? Smallingerland is not alone in its restrictive approach. According to a roundup cited by the municipality, roughly 86 percent of the 231 surveyed Dutch municipalities are refusing to grant permission for exemptions.
Potential Centralized Show in Drachten
While individual exemptions remain off the table for the upcoming celebration, residents may still see organized pyrotechnics under different circumstances. The municipality is still investigating the potential possibility of hosting a central, professional fireworks show in Drachten.
Who decided that F2-fireworks are banned in Smallingerland?
Mayor Fred Veenstra will not grant any exemptions from the national ban on F2-fireworks for the upcoming New Year’s Eve.
Why are exemptions being denied?
The executive board states that enforcement capacity is limited and must be prioritized for monitoring illegal fireworks and supervising carbide shooting.
Is Smallingerland the only municipality taking this step?
No. A municipal citation of a survey shows that roughly 86 percent of 231 surveyed Dutch municipalities are not granting permission for exemptions.
How will Smallingerland handle public celebrations instead?