Milwaukee police cracked down on fireworks this year, and possession fines doubled compared to last year. Anyone lighting a firework is subject to a $500-$1,000 fine, and this includes sparklers.

In March, the Common Council voted to increase the fireworks penalties, which used to range from $100 to $500 per violation. Plus, parents and guardians can face fines of $1,000 for allowing kids to use fireworks, and unpaid fines can result in up to 40 days in jail.

What are your thoughts on this? Did the new laws curb your penchant for patriotic pyromania? Or did you spark up the sky as usual? Sound-off using the Talkback feature.

Happy Independence Day weekend, Milwaukee!

I passed on fireworks this year. I didn’t want to risk a pricey ticket, so I didn’t buy any fireworks this year. Plenty of my neighbors, however, didn’t seem to care about the new laws.

I still lit fireworks. I think the new law is crazy. Fireworks are a traditional way to celebrate the birth of our country. I will always light off fireworks on the Fourth of July, regardless of what the law says.