Fines tripled in Santa Cruz for 4th of July weekend

Santa Cruz will be booming in more ways than one over the upcoming Independence Day weekend. With increased tourism and 4th of July celebrations, the City Council has taken steps to stiffen penalties for those who brake the law.

The city wants to remain clean and safe for everyone, so the council Tuesday night approved a city-wide safety enhancement designation which includes tripling the fees for violations of the City’s municipal code such as the illegal discharge of fireworks, littering and public consumption of alcohol.

The enforcement will begin at 12:01 a.m. on July 3 and end at 11:59 p.m. on July 5. With additional court costs, fines can range from $200 – $700.

“The potential for a devastating fire during this drought continues to be a real and present danger,” said Santa Cruz Fire Chief Jim Frawley. “We appreciate the public’s cooperation as our safety personnel patrol neighborhoods to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday.”

This is the second year Santa Cruz has implemented the designation Citywide. In 2014, the total calls for service related to fireworks on the 4th of July declined from 130 to 90, when compared to the previous year.