CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) — The Charlottesville Police Department will be funding a Fourth of July fireworks show this year at Tonsler Park in collaboration with the Tonsler League and DJ Runway, the department announced today.

The decision was made following the shooting on Orangedale Ave last July. 4, which injured five people, including two children.

Police Chief Michael Kochis told Cville Right Now the decision to host this event and fund it with his own budget was “exactly because of what happened last year.”

“Last year, we all know what happen on Orangedale,” he said. “Everyone, not only obviously law enforcement but those in the community, were shaken by that.”

Kochis said in the past month or so, CPD has worked to find a way to let the community have a Fourth of July event that is safe and collaborative, while still keeping the typical fireworks, which he called “the really tricky piece of it.”

He decided that a CPD-sanctioned block party in Tonsler Park managed by the department and in collaboration with the basketball league and DJ Runway, also known as Mr. Nick, will be safer for the community, rather than community members breaking the citywide ordinance that prohibits illegal fireworks.

The party will begin with the Tonsler League Tournament, and will also feature food trucks, games, activities and live music. The event will culminate in a professional fireworks show hosted by DJ Runway.

The professional fireworks shot off at the party will serve as the safer replacement for illegal fireworks, many of which had been set off in the street or in densely populated areas of Charlottesville in years past. This practice prompted some Fifeville residents to create an online petition in August for greater enforcement following the shooting, as many have been bothered by the activity for years.

The petition demanded confiscation of illegal fireworks, ticketing of violators, and additional police presence on the holiday, as well as additional communication in advance of the Fourth of July and an annual report on enforcement results.

A paper version of the petition containing more than 100 signatures was presented to Charlottesville City Council before being expanded online through Change.org.

Discharging fireworks within city limits without applying for a permit is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Although the issue is not exclusive to Fifeville, since becoming police chief in 2023, Kochis has sought to balance fostering better relationships with community members as well as enforcing city law.

CPD plans to facilitate the firework show and maintain a presence in the area to ensure a safe event and proper fireworks launch.

Charlottesville police have repeatedly emphasized that all fireworks are prohibited within city limits unless organizers obtain a permit.

Since becoming police chief in 2023, Kochis has sought to balance stronger enforcement of city ordinances with broader efforts to improve relationships between law enforcement and the community.

Kochis said this event has been the culmination of “a lot of work” between Tonsler League Commissioner Dr. Wes Bellamy, DJ Runway, Charlottesville Fire Department, CPD and Charlottesville Parks & Recreation.

“It’s just going to be a really great event, a safe event,” Kochis said.