Be warned, setting off fireworks in Sammamish this Fourth of July holiday could prove costly.

Instead of handing out warnings like they’ve done in the past, Sammamish police said they are going to hand out citations when they encounter violators.

“Complaints have increased over the last couple of years,” said Sergeant Jessica Sullivan. “Last year we had more vandalism due to fireworks than we ever had in the past.”

If residents are seen possessing a firework — whether sold at a “safe and sane” stand or at a reservation — they will be fined $500. If someone discharges their own device they will be fined $1,000.

The City of Sammamish, incorporated in 1999, passed an ordinance in 2005 to ban private fireworks shows.

“After giving everybody a few years to adapt, I think it makes sense to make sure people follow the rules,” City Manager Ben Yazici said.

Sullivan encouraged residents to attend the city’s Fourth on the Plateau event if they want to watch a pyrotechnics display.

“Essentially the goal is to reduce crime related to fireworks and make our neighborhoods safer,” she said.

Very few communities in King County still allow personal firework use. Bothell, Mercer Island, North Bend and Maple Valley are some of the largest cities that still allow personal fireworks on the Fourth of July.

Fireworks are also allowed in unincorporated areas of the county, like the Klahanie neighborhood, from 9 a.m. to midnight on July 4 only.