S.J. County officials rain on rural fireworks

Fireworks task force announces increased enforcement over illegal fireworks in unincorporated parts of San Joaquin County

“Fire in the hole, fire hole in the hole!,” a member of the San Joaquin County Sheriff ’s bomb squad yelled as he blew up a watermelon with illegal fireworks Monday morning. The demonstration was part of a San Joaquin County Fireworks Task Force press conference and was done to show how powerful and dangerous illegal fireworks can be.

During the press conference the task force announced increased enforcement and punishment to combat the growing problem of illegal fireworks in the county.

According to San Joaquin County Deputy District Attorney Kelly McDaniel, the task force was formed in response to the public outcry in recent years over the growing use of illegal fireworks. The force is made up of fire and law enforcement agencies in the county with a goal to tackle the issue through education and enforcement.

Task force member Ed Martel, chief of the Montezuma Fire District and president of the San Joaquin County Fire Chief Association, briefed everyone on the dangers of illegal fireworks.

Martel noted that using illegal fireworks can cause grass and structure fires, adding that heavy rains during the winter led to more growth and the potential for larger fires.

During the past three years, fire departments have seen an increase in illegal fireworks use in the county, Martel said.

“We want to reiterate that these illegal fireworks can cause serious injuries and bodily harm,” he said.

Martel said there are other costs associated with the use of illegal fireworks, including the cost of staffing and cleaning up the waste left behind from the fireworks.

During Monday’s presentation, San Joaquin County Sheriff Steve Moore displayed fireworks that were confiscated in just one raid last month. Moore said that over a four-day operation last year, the county received 288 firework calls and spent $14,000 in overtime. Moore declared that no fireworks of any kind are allowed in the unincorporated areas of San Joaquin County.

“The fire danger is way too great, the potential injury to parties is great so there is an absolute ban on any type of fireworks,” he said.

Moore encouraged the public to notify authorities if they see someone using fireworks in the county. The county crime analysis unit has identified major hot spots in the county from 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 and Moore said the task force will be focusing specifically in those areas this year.

San Joaquin County District Attorney Tori Verber Salazar explained the difference between illegal and legal fireworks. Fireworks not bearing the fire marshal seal including those that shoot off the ground or explode in the air are illegal in California, she said. State laws prohibit the sale, use or transportation of these items, and Salazar said law enforcement will be out in the community looking for evidence of those crimes.

Salazar said that law enforcement will be responding to calls, investigating and referring illegal firework cases to the district attorney’s office for prosecution. The penalties for such crimes range from a maximum of $1,000 fine or a year in county jail for a misdemeanor. Possession and transportation of larger quantities could result in a fine up to $50,000 or a year in county jail or state prison time, she said. Property damage resulting from the use of illegal fireworks such as arson or the other issues that may arise could result in a charge of arson and child endangerment.

“For the safety of yourself, for the safety of the community do not use, sell or transport illegal fireworks. If you do so there will be zero tolerance from the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s office for these actions,” Salazar said.

McDaniel said while safe and sane fireworks may be sold two to three weeks before the Fourth of July holiday, each city’s municipal ordinance restricts the use of those fireworks and they need to be used during the time frames and in the jurisdictions they are allowed.

Lodi Fire Chief Larry Rooney wants to remind Lodi residents that the city recently made changes to the city’s fireworks ordinance. The changes limit the discharge of safe and sane fireworks between 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on the Fourth of July and enforces a third-party procedure that allows officers to issue a citation based on the affidavit of a private citizen who observes a violation of fireworks regulations.

For any questions or concerns about fireworks, Lodi residents can call 209-3336739.