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Kill Devil Hills joined many other Outer Banks municipalities in banning balloon releases on town-owned property.

In April, commissioners passed a resolution opposing the release of helium balloons due to the litter it causes and the threat to wildlife. In July, they amended town code to make the intentional release of balloons on town-owned land illegal.

Debbie Swick, founder of Ban Balloon Releases NC, attended the July 8 meeting in support of the town code amendment, joined by several other KDH residents. However, Swick requested that commissioners make the ordinance apply throughout town, not just on town-owned land. Swick also suggested that the fee for intentionally releasing balloons be increased from the proposed $25 to $250, as Duck, Southern Shores and Kitty Hawk have done.

“My hope is that it is a deterrent – a deterrent that is going to make people think twice,” Swick said. “Twenty-five dollars will not do that. Two hundred and fifty will actually make people think twice and perhaps put the brakes on before they even release them.”

Commissioner BJ McAvoy took issue Swick’s suggested changes to the amendment. Though he said he’s amenable to the ordinance as written, “I think it’s a very difficult ask for the resources of the police to be used for this type of thing … they have other more serious things going on in the town.”

McAvoy also said a $250 fine was “over the top.”

Several other commissioners were in favor of an increased fine, but hesitant to dictate what residents could do on private property. Ultimately, the board passed the amendment unanimously as written with no additional changes.

They agreed to revisit the ordinance in the future if necessary.

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