PEA RIDGE — The first Independence Day without a prohibition against fireworks went without a major incident, according to city officials.

“We had less calls on the night of the Fourth,” Police Chief Tim Ledbetter said, “but we don’t have a complete count for all fireworks-related calls from June 20th to July 5th.

“In the past, we’ve always scheduled additional personnel on the weekend of July 4th because of the call volume and didn’t this year,” he said.

The City Council passed an ordinance May 17, 2011, allowing both the discharge and sale of fireworks in the city limits with parameters similar to those set by state statute, which allows the discharge of fireworks from June 20 to July 10 and again Dec. 10 to Jan. 5.

“We were not overwhelmed with complaints in reference tothe fireworks. What complaints we did have were primarily about debris left and fireworks shot on sticks which left debris in other people’s yards,” Ledbetter said. There were a few calls about the noise caused by fireworks after 11 p.m.

Ledbetter, who has been chief since 1995, said the nights of July 3rd and 4th have been very busy in the past because although it was illegal to shoot fireworks in the city limits,many people still did and complaints were numerous.

Fire Chief Frank Rizzio said there were no medical calls due to fireworks injuries, but there was one fire call. He said the fire was small and was extinguished by the homeowner before firefighters arrived on the scene.

Officials at City Hall said there had been no complaints as of Tuesday morning.

News, Pages 1 on 07/06/2011