Community Corner
San Bruno CA PD Firework's Council Staff Report - 7/10/18
Preview of the police and fire department's 4th of July 2018 report on Safe and Sane Fireworks
Article Source: City of San Bruno CA
DATE: July 10, 2018
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
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FROM: Ed Barberini, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Receive Report on the July 4, 2018 Fireworks Related Activities
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BACKGROUND:
In 2005 San Bruno voters passed Measure G allowing for the continued sale and use of Safe and Sane fireworks within San Bruno during the Fourth of July holiday. The allowance of Safe and Sane fireworks draws individuals to San Bruno from other cities where all fireworks are prohibited. Additionally, the availability and use of Safe and Sane fireworks can result in an increase in the use of illegal fireworks. In response to the potential for a high frequency in the use of illegal fireworks, the City Council has authorized the issuance of Administrative Citations for individuals found to be possessing or using illegal fireworks. These citations include a fine of $1,000.
Several City departments, including Police, Fire, Public Services, and Community Services, have substantially increased staffing levels on the Fourth of July to address associated issues and calls for service. The holiday and the use of fireworks often results in large gatherings within the community. These gatherings present additional concerns, including pedestrian safety and the problems associated with the consumption of alcoholic beverages. The City has continued to receive numerous comments and complaints from members of the community in the days and weeks leading up to the July 4 th holiday about noise, potential for fire hazard and other disruptions that residents experience resulting from the use of illegal and dangerous fireworks.
DISCUSSION:
Every year in order to address community concerns and to protect public safety, the City conducts a multi-faceted and proactive public education, outreach and enforcement program. This year, as in previous years, several steps were taken leading up to the Fourth of July to alert and educate the public regarding fireworks regulations and the consequences of violating them. Staff worked with the Cable TV Department to provide public service announcements aired on the cable channel. A flyer with a message from the Fire and Police Chiefs was mailed to all residents prior to the July 411 holiday. Police and Fire personnel met with fireworks vendors and reviewed the rules and regulations for the sale of Safe and Sane fireworks. Additionally, staff posted information regarding regulations for the use of fireworks on the City web page and social media sites the week prior to July 411 On the 4th of July, the Police Department regularly posted enforcement activity updates to its social media sites in an effort to continue the public education effort.
During the days prior to July 411, Police Department personnel visited approximately 15 locations where problems had arisen in previous years. Officers spoke with residents about the use of illegal fireworks, including enforcement efforts, penalties for the possession and use, and the danger these items pose to the community. Additionally, officers warned residents about the excessive consumption of alcohol, the impact large and unruly parties have on the community, and pedestrian safety including children in the street. The Police Department deployed one to two officers in addition to regular patrol staff to conduct illegal fireworks enforcement from June 28th through July 3rd Officers patrolled for illegal fireworks and violations of Safe and Sane use, paying particular attention to open space areas, The officers also assisted with the education campaign and made contact in those neighborhoods where the department had previously received large numbers of complaints. The officers were assigned during times of peak activity (6:00 pm to Midnight).
In addition to the normal patrol beats, fireworks enforcement teams were organized and assigned to geographic regions from 6:00 pm on July 4, 2018, to 2:00 am on July 5, 2018. The Police Department also had additional clerical staff on duty to handle the high volume of telephone reporting and dispatching of calls for service. The Police Department had fifty-seven personnel on duty July 4th, which included the following:
Chief of Police Public Safety Dispatchers (5)
Lieutenant Police Clerks (3)
Sergeants (7) Community Service Officers (7)
Police Officers (32) Records and Dispatch Supervisor
The Fire Department increased its staffing on the 4th of July to include the Fire Chief, Fire Marshal and an additional engine company. The Fire Chief and Fire Marshal conducted non-contact patrols through neighborhoods as a visual deterrent to the use of illegal fireworks. The Fire Marshal also worked with the Police Department to evaluate and store confiscated illegal fireworks. The Department also staffed an extra fire engine to handle the increased call volume. The Fire Department responded to 18 calls for service on July 4th, nine of those appeared to be fireworks related. Crews responded to a small grass fire during the day at Lions Field that appeared to have been caused by illegal fireworks. There was a fire in a backyard on xxxx
Avenue and six trash can fires that appeared to be caused by improper disposal of legal fireworks.
The Community Services Department deployed four staff members to monitor activity within the parks on July 411 from 3pm to 10pm.
When officers were able to observe an individual using illegal fireworks, officers made use of the municipal ordinance sections and issued administrative citations that carry a fine of $1,000 per violation. This year a special emphasis was placed on having officers patrol problem areas on foot and on bicycles. Non-uniformed officers were also deployed to alert and direct uniformed personnel to violators. Officers issued a total of 25 administrative citations for the use and/or possession of dangerous fireworks.
The Police Department responded to a total of 273 incidents on July 4, 2018, of which, 173 were fireworks related. Of the 173 fireworks related incidents, 31 were incidents initiated by officers in the field. Several reporting parties called multiple times for fireworks related issues.
Total Administrative Citations and Arrests Related to Fireworks
Riechel" NOTE: The above table did not post correctly. Only the total is given here. FULL table can be seen in the packet referenced herein.
Total cost $ 77,322
The use of illegal fireworks was often intermingled with the use of Safe and Sane fireworks making it difficult for officers to detect violations. Complaints of illegal fireworks were received citywide with many complaints involving the use of legal Safe and Sane fireworks. In addition to calls to the Police Department regarding fireworks, the City received numerous complaints via email and social media.
No pedestrian safety issues were reported. When contacting large groups celebrating the holiday, officers generally received the necessary cooperation. However, both dispatchers and officers in the field regularly interacted with individuals who were angry at a either a perceived lack of enforcement or for being too proactive by both reporting parties, violators, and their associates. There were no reports of any violent activity. On arrest was made for charges relating to the possession of a loaded firearm, controlled substances, as well as illegal fireworks.
Of the 25 individuals that were issued administrative citations, 8 were identified as San Bruno residents.
This year the Police Department seized approximately 415 pounds of illegal fireworks including firecrackers, bottle rockets, M-80's, M-1000's, roman candles, and mortars ranging from one to three inches in diameter. Public Services staff picked up approximately eight cubic yards of trash following the holiday. No additional street sweeping was performed. During the July 4th Holiday the previous year, the Police Department seized approximately 26 pounds of illegal fireworks and the Public Services Department collected 8 cubic yards of trash.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Personnel were brought in on an overtime basis to specifically handle the increase in fireworks complaints and for proactive enforcement. The amount expended for overtime also reflects additional clerical staff to handle the increase in calls requesting service. Increases in this year's costs are attributed to both salary increases and staffing increases from the previous year. All costs for July 4th public education and enforcement are reimbursed to the City by the groups that sell safe and sane fireworks.
ALTERNATIVES:
None. This report is submitted for informational purposes only. RECOMMENDATION:
None. This report is submitted for informational purposes only.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
DATE PREPARED: July 5, 2018
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FULL Council Agenda Packet WITH Staff Reports can be viewed and downloaded from:
https://sanbruno.ca.gov/gov/elected_officials/city_council_minutes_n_agendas.htm
This document should be available late Friday before the Tuesday Council Meeting
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Robert Riechel
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E=Mail: SanBrunoPatch.Robert@Yahoo.com
Photo Credit: San Bruno CA Patch Archives
Source Credit: San Bruno CA City Council
Web Site: https://sanbruno.ca.gov
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