safety
Sterling Heights pushes for local control over fireworks as complaints near 1,300 since 2020
By Evan Sery at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News
· June 24, 2026
· 3 min read
Sterling Heights is pushing for more local control over consumer fireworks, citing nearly 1,300 fireworks-related calls for service since 2020. Watch Evan Sery's video report: Sterling Heights pushes for local control over fireworks as complaints riseAssistant City Manager Dale Dwojakowski is lea...
Key takeaway Number 1, that's illegal, they're lighting them off, there's no one around," Dwojakowski said.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The push for local control over fireworks in Sterling Heights reflects a broader concern about quality of life in Detroit -area communities. As the city works with state legislators to pursue new regulations, residents are likely to be watching closely to see if these efforts will lead to a reduction in noise complaints and fire hazards. The fact that Sterling Heights has received nearly 1,300 fireworks-related calls for service since 2020 suggests that the current state laws are not adequately addressing the issue. The proposed legislative changes, which include reducing the number of state-mandated days when consumer-grade fireworks are allowed, could have a significant impact on how residents celebrate holidays like the 4th of July. If successful, this initiative could serve as a model for other Detroit-area communities that are also struggling to balance individual freedoms with community concerns about safety and noise.
About this story
Original reporting by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News ·
Reading time: 3 min
Get more The Detroit stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Sterling Heights is pushing for more local control over consumer fireworks, citing nearly 1,300 fireworks-related calls for service since 2020. Watch Evan Sery's video report: Sterling Heights pushes for local control over fireworks as complaints riseAssistant City Manager Dale Dwojakowski is lea...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Evan Sery at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter