Task Force Targets Illegal Fireworks with Zero Tolerance Enforcement

Bolstered by financial support from the State-Approved Fireworks industry and the nonprofits that sell Safe and Sane fireworks, local police and fire officials plan to vigorously enforce state laws that allow them to cite those who sell, possess or use illegal fireworks. Those cited face fines of up to $50,000 and jail terms of up to one year. In addition, parents may be held liable for any fire damage or injury caused by their children using illegal fireworks.

“There is no excuse for breaking the law when it comes to fireworks. Californians have plenty of ways to safely celebrate the Fourth of July without using bottle rockets, aerial shells and other bootlegged, illegal pyrotechnics that can cause devastating injuries and damage property,” said Tonya Hoover, California State Fire Marshal. “If you are someone who thinks using illegal fireworks are exciting or someone who is trying to make a profit from selling illegal fireworks, we are determined to stop you.”

“Years ago, it might have seemed like an innocent act to set off bottle rockets, but even then people were injured.. Today, we are seeing a growing influx of high-powered, sophisticated pyrotechnics brought in by criminal entrepreneurs or purchased over the Internet and shipped illegally. I urge our citizens and visitors not to purchase or use these dangerous devices.”

California has approved a variety of Safe and Sane fireworks that offer exciting displays but do not go up into the air, explode, or move about on the ground in an uncontrolled manner. These go on sale every year in the week before the Fourth of July and are the only legal fireworks for use on the holiday.

“More than 3,300 nonprofit organizations rely on fireworks sales to raise more than $35 million to support the many community services they provide,” said Dennis Revell, spokesperson for TNT Fireworks, the nation’s largest distributor of legal fireworks. “These nonprofits are more important than ever now, with the economy putting more people in need of services just when all levels of government are forced to cut back on programs.”

With many local police and fire agencies under budget pressure, the 457 Sacramento-area nonprofits that sell State-Approved Fireworks and the companies that provide these legal fireworks are earmarking some of the funds generated by fireworks sales to help underwrite local teams to patrol, identify those using or selling illegal fireworks, and issue citations. They are also providing funding to help with prosecution efforts.

“We’re all on the same side — doing our best to protect those who want to celebrate the Fourth of July by making sure they have safe ways to do so,” Revell said. “We’re proud to be part of the effort to eliminate the criminals who would put our children and our homes at risk by selling or using dangerous fireworks.”

Sacramento County Deputy District Attorney Rick Miller said the penalties for those cited go far beyond a slap on the wrist that was common decades ago. Serious violators found to be in possession of illegal fireworks will be offered an opportunity to plead guilty for three years of informal probation and five days in the county jail. Individuals caught using illegal fireworks could be required to serve a minimum of ten days in the county jail. Prior criminal records or child endangerment charges could add substantially to penalties.

“These penalties will apply to both adult and juvenile offenders and will apply irrespective of how small a quantity of illegal fireworks the violators are found to be using or possessing,” Miller said. “If any illegal fireworks charges are prosecuted as felonies because of the amount, type or way in which the illegal fireworks or explosives were used, state prison commitments may be pursued, particularly if the defendant has a prior criminal record.”

Sacramento Metro Fire Department Chief Kurt Henke said the local agencies participating in the Safety Task Force are repeating their Zero-Tolerance campaign that debuted last year with the catch-phrase “Illegal Fireworks… You Light It, We’ll Write It!”

“The Task Force will be out there in strength to issue citations, confiscate illegal fireworks and arrest individuals if the illegal fireworks are found in sufficient quantities or cause severe damage,” Henke said. “Those involved with illegal fireworks should consider this to be fair warning: We are targeting you, and we are going to do everything we can to make sure you don’t ruin the Fourth of July for other people.”

The Greater Sacramento Area Fireworks Safety Task Force is a safety coalition composed of representatives of local government, the fire service, the 457 non-profit organizations who sell State-Approved Fireworks in the Greater Sacramento area, the media, and the State-Approved Fireworks industry. The Task Force, formed 22 years ago, served as a model for the highly acclaimed “California Statewide Fireworks Safety & Education Program” coordinated through the Office of the State Fire Marshal with the assistance of Revell Communications, and distributed by the 3,300 non-profit organizations who sell State-Approved Fireworks and to school districts throughout the state.