With July 4 rapidly approaching, Eugene will try to clamp down on the noisy problem of illegal fireworks.

Police and fire department officials on Monday announced plans for an email address that residents will be able to use to anonymously report the use of illegal fireworks. A yet-to-be scheduled “amnesty” event will be held at the end of June so people can turn in illegal fireworks without fear of being cited by police.

Also, extra police officers will be deployed from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. on the night and morning of July 4-5 to crack down on illegal fireworks. Fire crews will patrol neighborhoods to observe and report the discharge of illegal fireworks.

The enforcement measures were announced in a Monday memo to Mayor Kitty Piercy and the City Council from Police Chief Pete Kerns and Eugene Springfield Fire Department Chief Randy Groves.

The proposals are a response to the growing number of complaints about fireworks from residents, who say the noise from the pyrotechnics — both legal and illegal — is decreasing the city’s quality of life by making life miserable for them and their pets.

The city initiatives are not a “fix all” to problem fireworks, northeast Councilor George Poling said. They are “a first step in many steps to correct an ongoing problem.”

Also, the council on Monday evening heard public comment on two proposed ordinances meant to curb fireworks, both legal and illegal.

One ordinance would limit the discharge of legal fireworks in Eugene to five days a year: July 3, 4 and 5, and Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

Legal fireworks in Eugene can be sold only from June 23 to July 6 each year, but there are no state or local restrictions on when they can be discharged.

Legal fireworks include sparklers, base and cone fountains, ground blooms and smoke devices.

Two residents spoke in favor of the proposed five-day limitation. No one spoke against the idea.

Emily Fox said a neighbor sets off fireworks several days after July 4. “I heard them every night for a week,” she said. “And my cat is terrified and runs under the bed.”

Fox said the city should designate parks where people could set off fireworks.

In that way, neighborhoods like hers would not become like a smoky “war zone,” she said. “It seems ridiculous for me to have to close doors and windows so I can breathe,” she said.

Violating the proposed ordinance would carry a maximum fine of $500.

State law prohibits residents from having, using or selling fireworks that fly, explode or travel more than 6 feet on the ground or 12 inches into the air.

Many of the complaints from residents are about illegal fireworks, including deafening M-80s, firecrackers, bottle rockets and Roman candles.

The other proposal would add the discharge of illegal fireworks to the list of offenses that trigger the city’s so-called social host ordinance.

The organizers of parties where alcohol is served can be fined if two or more offenses are taking place, such as excessive noise, drinking in public, disorderly conduct or minor in possession of alcohol.

If the council approves the proposed ordinance, the illegal discharge of fireworks would be added to the list of triggering offenses.

Leonard Epstein, a member of the Southeast Neighbors Association board, spoke in favor of adding illegal fireworks to the social host ordinance.

“As fireworks season rapidly approaches, we would like to see enforcement of fireworks ordinances viewed as a priority, much as has been the case when implementing the social host ordinance in response to citizens’ expressed concerns about disruptively loud gatherings,” he said.

A date for the council to take action on the two fireworks ordinances has yet to be set.

Councilors also heard public comment on an idea to help residents keep deer out of their yards through increased fence heights.

Now, fences in residential areas are limited to 3?1/2 feet in front yards and to 6 feet in side and backyards. City officials are proposing to let residents boost the height of fences with wire to 8 feet.

Bradley Cook, the owner of Huckleberry Fence, said customers regularly ask him to build taller fences to keep deer out of yards, but current code prevents him from doing so.

“I’m constantly confronted with clients who want to protect their gardens, especially in south Eugene where the deer just ravage them,” he said.

The council is scheduled to vote on the fence proposal June 23.

Follow Ed on Twitter @edwardrusso. Email ed.russo@registerguard.com.