Police and fire warn residents on illegal firework use in Salinas

UPDATE 6/20/2016 5:45 PM: The Salinas Police and Fire departments, the Monterey County Bomb Squad and the ATF are highlighting the dangers of fireworks.

Every year, thousands of people are hurt by fireworks, from serious burns, to loss of eyesight, even loss of limbs. During a fireworks demonstration on Monday, those agencies used fruit to stand in for people, but the results are still astonishing.

From far away, watching a firework detonate inside of a watermelon doesn’t look intimidating. Get closer and see a 2-inch gaping hole show where the firework sat.

During another demo, a small firework detonated in the grass sparked a fire that could’ve grown if firefighters weren’t standing by with hoses in hand.

“If you look around the state right now, we don’t need another fire and we don’t need anyone injured in this city,” Salinas Mayor Joe Gunter said.

Both the chiefs of Salinas fire and police said they are doubling their staff during the Fourth of July. The fire department normally has 26 people on duty per day. They’re adding another 28 between the firehouses and rodeo grounds. Salinas police have 33 officers already scheduled to work with another 34 working overtime. This kind of staffing is normally seen during large events like the California Rodeo Salinas or the Salinas Air Show.

“Last year, we in this city responded to double the number of incidents the July Fourth weekend,” Salinas Fire Chief Ed Rodriguez said. “Several structure fires, cars damaged, fences damaged by fire. Fortunately we didn’t have any injuries.”

Salinas Police Chief Kelly McMillin said his officers were so overloaded, they couldn’t respond to every call in a timely matter.

“Noon and midnight on the Fourth of July, kind of our peak hours, we received 585 calls for service. Of those 585 calls, 182 of them were fireworks calls,” McMillin said.

Officers will be going undercover looking for fireworks violations, on top of keeping an eye on fights, drunk drivers and domestic violence incidents.

“Fireworks calls really start to kick off around 6 p.m.,” McMillin said. “That’s when we are going to have the most police officers out there on an enforcement posture.”

Right now all fireworks are illegal in Salinas. People can report any fireworks activity online or on their phone, 831-296-3939. Complainants need to include as many specific details as possible. If an emergency prevents authorities from showing up right away, that detailed information could help them pursue action later.

“We can go back and hold the person responsible for that residence accountable for having the party,” McMillin said. “That’s what social host ordinance does. It may not get the person who does the fireworks, because we have to witness that, but if we can demonstrate that they are hosting a demonstration, they are allowing illegal fireworks at home, we can hold the homeowner or the renter accountable.”

People busted for using any fireworks, including safe and sane, could face a $1,250 fine. Property owners could be held responsible for fireworks used on their property.

The city is offering an alternative for people who want to enjoy fireworks. It is sponsoring a free Fourth of July fireworks show at the Salinas Sports Complex. It starts at 6 p.m.

ORIGINAL POST:

Despite the fact that all fireworks are illegal in Salinas, police and fire say they anticipate handling plenty of calls on the issue over the next two weeks.

In the days leading up to the Fourth of July, the city is trying to prevent people from playing with fireworks and offering education on how dangerous they can be.

KION’s Mariana Hicks will have more on this story at 5 & 6.