Lang
7/8/21
Iowa City Police responded to over one-hundred fireworks-related calls over July 4th weekend, but recently-released records show only two people face related criminal charges.
The only person actually charged with discharging fireworks was 50-year-old Anthony Browne of McKinley Place. An officer reports seeing Browne running from a walking trail behind Ranier Drive where fireworks were being set off just after 9:30 Sunday night. Browne eventually stopped, and police say he admitted to lighting off fireworks that had been provided to him by his employer. He allegedly claimed he had seen the police officer and his flashlight, but was not running from him.
Browne is charged with Discharging Fireworks and Interference with Official Acts.
About an hour later police were investigating a fireworks complaint at North Dodge and St. Clement Streets when one of the suspects, 20-year-old Dominique Hendree of Hudson Avenue, called 9-1-1. Hendree reported being harassed by the responding officer, who up to that point had only asked the suspects to identify themselves. She was eventually charged with Making a False Report to 9-1-1.
Online records show several other subjects were warned for fireworks violations, but no charges were filed.