Old Orchard Beach council weighs suspending weekly fireworks after police warn of juvenile violence

OLD ORCHARD BEACH, Maine — Town leaders and residents on Tuesday debated whether to suspend or modify weekly Thursday fireworks after the police chief told the council the displays have attracted large, sometimes violent, groups of juveniles and posed growing public-safety risks.

The police chief, speaking on behalf of the Old Orchard Beach Police Department, told the council the department is "requesting the suspension of the Thursday night fireworks for the remainder of the season due to escalating public safety concerns," citing recent assaults on officers, weapons use and episodes of disorder that exceeded what assigned personnel could safely manage. "Safety must remain our highest priority," the chief said.

The chief said the department assigned as many as 20 sworn officers and six non-sworn community-service officers to recent details, coordinated with the pier and local attractions, and still found the volume and severity of incidents exceeded available resources. He and councilors noted limits in the juvenile justice system that often result in minors being released to parents rather than facing immediate, sustained consequences.

The recommendation drew sharply different responses from residents and business owners.

"One person getting killed is not worth it," Guy Fontaine, a longtime resident, told the council as he supported suspending the weekly shows and suggested alternatives such as drone displays to reduce harm to wildlife and veterans with PTSD. Fontaine also raised environmental concerns, saying some fireworks materials can leave toxic residues in sand and water.

Business owners warned of economic harm if the town cancels a signature attraction. "Canceling the fireworks would have consequences beyond one evening. It would reduce visitor spending and risk sending the message that Old Orchard Beach is no longer a safe destination for families," said Michael Hawley, who identified himself as president of the Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce. Steve Cowan, who identified himself as owner of the Royal Anchor on East Grand Avenue, said weekly fireworks drive hotel stays and that penalizing the 99% of responsible visitors for the actions of a few would hurt the town's short season.

Several speakers, including the pier's director of security, praised recent, large coordinated law-enforcement responses and urged residents and business owners to support police. But councilors and the chief said some proposed fixes — for example, a weekday curfew for unaccompanied minors — are not practical or enforceable in a tourist community because of staffing limits.

Council members discussed compromise measures: moving the weekly shows earlier in the evening (options raised included 9:00 p.m. or 9:15 p.m.), reducing frequency (for example, biweekly), enhancing targeted enforcement and expanding coordination with county and state partners when they can provide staff. The chief said the department already asks for state police and neighboring agencies when available but that outside help is not guaranteed.

The meeting ended with the council directing staff and event sponsors to try schedule changes and continue monitoring conditions rather than immediately canceling the entire series. The chair summarized that the July 4 display would remain at its scheduled 9:45 p.m. time; in the near term the council and the chief agreed to keep the upcoming Thursday's time at 9:45 p.m. while exploring a trial of earlier start times for subsequent Thursdays. No formal motion or vote was recorded at the meeting.

Council members said they will revisit the plan quickly if the trial does not reduce incidents. "If people stop getting hurt, it will get shut down," the chair said, framing the decision as a series of incremental steps focused on public safety and the town's tourism economy.

What happens next: the council and police will test schedule and operational changes, continue coordination with business sponsors and outside agencies, and report back to the council for further direction. The town made no binding policy change during the special meeting.