Not a single municipality in Drenthe is going for a fireworks ban this year. This is evident from a survey by RTV Drenthe among all twelve municipalities. After New Year’s Eve, doctors and several mayors argued for a national ban.
The Association of Dutch Municipalities also supports a national ban, and a number of Dutch municipalities are already taking the lead with their own ban. In Drenthe, fireworks are here to stay for the time being.
Several municipalities respond that lighting fireworks is a tradition and that there is little pressure from society to impose a ban. “We see no need from society and have not noticed any significant problems in our municipality,” says a spokesperson for the municipality of Borger-Odoorn.
“There is no pressure from the municipal council and society to impose a ban,” said Meppel. “No, no ban. We are committed to enforcing the existing regulations for lighting fireworks,” said a spokesperson for the municipality of Emmen.
“The activities around the New Year are seen as a tradition. Our municipality is a vast area with small villages and centers,” is the answer in Central Drenthe to the question of whether or not there will be a fireworks ban.
In the larger municipalities, it is also a factor that enforcing a possible ban is not possible, several spokespersons indicate. “This is because fireworks sales will continue as usual,” said Assen.
“The nuisance caused by fireworks is mainly due to heavy illegal fireworks and fireworks that are set off before New Year’s Eve. A fireworks ban during New Year’s Eve does not offer a solution for this,” the municipality adds.
The same signal is also heard in Coevorden: “A local fireworks ban cannot be enforced. We have made the choice to follow national policy.”