MARYSVILLE – Except for lawbreakers who set off fireworks in the middle of the night and hid, city officials say the ban on July 4 worked.

But later on at Monday’s City Council meeting they said they would like to work with the community to give locals something fun to do on the Fourth of July.

Cmdr. Larry Buell of the Marysville Police Department told the council that almost 50 $103 citations were handed out for using fireworks, which were then confiscated. Unlike previous years, police didn’t have to catch people in the act. With the ban, even possession means a citation.

There were 238 calls, many between 9-10 p.m. on the 4th. He said a media blitz, called “Don’t get burned,” that appeared in newspapers, social media and readerboards helped inform the public and keep most in compliance. Additional police were also staffed.

Police Chief Rick Smith said in past years police gave out warnings, but this year, with the law, many more people were cited.

Fire Chief Martin McFalls said there were only 11 calls for fires and injuries, “which is shockingly low.”

Public Works Director Kevin Nielsen said no added sweeping needed to be done by city crews to clean up after the 4th.

During the public comment session, John Blackwell said it was better than last year, but his neighborhood was still a war zone.

He said all the ban did was take away money from nonprofits who sold safe and sane fireworks because illegal display fireworks were still bursting in air.

Blackwell said the illegal fireworks are the ones that need to be stopped. The federal punishment is much worse than local law – up to $5,000 and a year in jail. Mayor Jon Nehring said the ban worked “far better than anybody expected. Many didn’t think it was possible in Marysville.”

He said in the future the city needs to decide, “What to do in the community to celebrate the Fourth of July.”

Council Member Jeff Vaughan agreed something needs to be done.

“It was a little sad for us this year,” he admitted, adding his family used to have a bunch of people over. “A lot of people were disappointed. A lot left town.”

Councilman Michael Stevens said the holiday was ironic. “We usually try to draw people to the city,” he said. “Unfortunately, we sent them elsewhere.”

Nehring said maybe the city could partner with service clubs. “It was quiet. We need some sort of celebration,” he said.