Detective Richard Voce pointed his police cruiser down a Northeast Tacoma street, in the direction of some colorful explosions of fireworks.

He’s one of 20 officers who volunteered to work nights this week to try to curb a seasonal problem: illegal fireworks. About an hour and a half in, a man out with his kids will be the first violator of the night.

“Fireworks are pretty,” said Voce, whose usual duties are working with computer data for the department’s Criminal Investigations Division, “but they should really be in the hands of a professional.”

Because shooting off any kind of fireworks is illegal in Tacoma, the police department organizes special patrols throughout the city to look for offenders and to respond to 911 complaints.

Officers cruise the streets and warn people with fireworks. If an officer sees someone lighting them off, they could be fined $257.

“It’s working,” said night shift commander Lt. Shawn Gustason. “If there’s a reduction in (emergency medical service) calls, it pays for itself.”

The patrols started Wednesday night, which, as usual, was relatively quiet. During his rounds, Voce, one of eight officers on the special patrol that night, saw four explosions and found one offender.

Police say the nights will be increasingly busy with fireworks-related complaints. Tonight is likely to be louder still, with the Fourth of July the busiest night, naturally, for chasing fireworks complaints.

Voce’s offender turned out to be a man standing next to his three young children, one of whom was in a stroller. At their feet was a bag with one remaining firework – a cardboard tank. The man wasn’t from the city, so he didn’t know the regulations. He was just out, having fun while watching the kids, he told Voce.

The detective took the tank and gave the man a warning.

“My biggest worry is the probability of injuries and property damage,” Voce said. “Stuff happens.”

The police department says its stepped-up patrols have paid off with fewer fires and injuries related to fireworks.

For this year’s effort, the department budgeted $30,000 for overtime.

The number of officers on the patrols before and after the holiday varies. Saturday night, the number of officers on patrol will double to 20. The teams are on duty from about 8 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Some officers rove the streets. Others are stationed at locations popular for setting off fireworks.

The officers are assigned just to fireworks patrol. A regular shift of officers handle all other 911 calls.

In addition to the patrols, officers have organized an information campaign and are working with Puyallup tribal police to curb the loud, illegal booms.

Firework enforcement is difficult in many ways, officers say. Many parts of the city border tribal lands, where they are allowed.

And by the time an officer arrives, people most likely are gone, leaving just a smell of black powder and burnt wrappers in the street.

In 2007, officers wrote just 10 infractions for fireworks in the city. Last year, officers issued 25 infractions and are looking to double that this year.

“We are really ramping it up,” Gustason said.

Brian Everstine: 253-597-8374

brian.everstine@thenewstribune.com

blogs.thenewstribune.com/crime

How other jurisdictions are handling fireworks complaints

LAKEWOOD

What’s legal: “Safe and sane” fireworks

When: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. today and Saturday

Patrols: Extra police officers will be out today, Saturday and Sunday. The officers will be on overtime and will handle only fireworks complaints.

FEDERAL WAY

What’s legal: All fireworks are banned.

Patrols: The Police Department will have 23 officers responding to fireworks-related complaints and patrolling parks Saturday. Six will work citywide; four will be stationed at Steel Lake Park and 13 at Celebration Park.

About half of the officers will be on overtime; the others will be reassigned from their regular duties.

PIERCE COUNTY

What’s legal: Fireworks are legal to buy and set off in the unincorporated parts of county.

Patrols: The Sheriff’s Department will not have extra patrols but members of the bomb squad who are on duty will respond to fireworks-related complaints. Other deputies will work on 911 calls.

Stacey Mulick, The News Tribune