OF THE BIGGEST NIGHTS OF THE YEAR FOR ILLEGAL FIREWORKS.. AND SEASIDE PD JUST UNVEILED THEIR NEW FIREWORK DETECTION DEVICE.. <“IT’S A COMMUNITY ISSUE. THIS IS NOT JUST A POLICE ISSUE OR A FIRE ISSUE. THIS IS A COMMUNITY ISSUE.”> SEASIDE PD JUST UNVEILED.. THIS.. FLOCK SAFETY AUDIO DETECTION DEVICE.. THE NEWEST ADDITION TO THEIR FLEET OF FLOCK CAMERAS.. 50 OF THEM ARE NOW STRATEGICALLY PLACED ALL THROUGHOUT THE CITY.. <“. I WILL GET FOUR OR FIVE CALLS FOR ONE FIREWORK IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS THAT ARE COMPLETELY OPPOSITE OF WHERE SOMEONE SAY. THEY HEARD THIS EXPLOSION WITH THIS TECHNOLOGY, WE’RE GOING TO ZERO THAT EXPLOSION DOWN TO ABOUT 90 FEET FROM WHERE IT POPPED OFF.”> THE DEVICE DETECTS MORE THAN JUST FIREWORKS.. IT CAN DETECT GUNSHOTS .. GLASS BREAKING AND TIRE SCREECHING.. FLOCK TECHNOLOGY IS CONTROVERSIAL FOR SOME GROUPS INCLUDING THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION.. DUE TO PRIVACY CONCERNS OR CONCERNS OVER UNFAIR TARGETTING.. BUT CHIEF BORGES SAYS THE TOOL WILL MAINLY ASSIST IN RESPONSE TIME AND WILL INCREASE ACCURACY.. <“JUST BECAUSE WE GET AN ALERT FROM THIS DOESN’T MEAN WE’RE FOR CERTAIN GOING TO COME AND MAKE AN ARREST AND DETAIN PEOPLE FOR A GUNSHOT, OR A FIREWORK WITH THIS DOES IS ALERT US TO RESPOND TO THAT AREA TO VERIFY WHETHER OR NOT THIS EVEN OCCURRED.”> POLICE ISSUED THREE TIMES MORE FIREWORK CITATIONS IN 2023 THAN THE YEAR PRIOR.. ACCORDING TO SEASIDE FIRE.. THEY HAD TO RESPOND TO 6 FIREWORK RELATED FIRES DURING THIS PAST 4TH OF JULY.. JUST THIS NEW YEARS.. THE CITY SAW FAR MORE THAN 100 ILLEGAL FIREWORKS.. PD RECEIVING 25 DISPATCH CALLS.. <” THE CITY COUNCIL IS ALSO GETTING CREATIVE WITH OTHER IDEAS.. COUNCILMEMBER GARCIA- ARRAZOLA HAS PROPOSED THE IDEA OF A FIREWORK BUYBACK PROGRAM.. çáááTAKE SOTáááÑ SO BUYING BACK THESE ILLEGAL FIREWORKS IN A WAY WITH DETER THE CONSTITUENTS FROM THROWING THEM OUT ALL YEAR AROUND, AND IT WOULD ALLOW FOR A BETTER RELATIONSHIP WITHIN THE CITY, AND THE CONSTITUENTS, AS WELL TO CREATE SOME EDUCATION COMPONENTS REGARDING THE SAFETY OR THE DANGERS OF LEGAL FIREWORKS.”> <” RIGHT NOW OFFICERS HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO ACT ON ANY INFORMATION COMING FROM THESE DEVICES.. BUT POLICE ARE STILL ASKING FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CALL IN.. IF YOU SEE SOMETHIN
How to report illegal fireworks on the Central Coast
Updated: 2:58 PM PDT Jul 3, 2024
Across the Central Coast, there have been calls for illegal fireworks to law enforcement. The closer we get to July 4 that will most likely continue. Video in media player from previous coverage. Safe and sane fireworks, which do not fly or explode, are the only type of fireworks that are legal to use and buy in California, but only in certain cities.On the Central Coast, those cities include Gonzales, Greenfield, Hollister, King City, Marina, Salinas, San Juan Bautista, Seaside, Soledad and Watsonville.Fireworks that leave the ground are illegal everywhere in the state. These fireworks, including skyrockets, bottle rockets, Roman candles, aerial shells, and firecrackers, typically cause loud explosions.We have compiled a list for those wondering how to call law enforcement if they hear or see illegal fireworks. How to report illegal fireworks Salinas: You can report illegal fireworks by clicking this link. In the city of Santa Cruz, call the police non-emergency lines at 831-471-1131. Illegal fireworks in Watsonville can be reported through the Watsonville Police Department’s app or by calling 831-471-1151.In Seaside, residents are asked to call police dispatch at 831-394-6811. Police in Soledad encourage people to call the department’s non-emergency line at (831) 755-5111.In Hollister, residents are asked to call the police non-emergency dispatch line at 831-636-4331Where is it illegal to light fireworks? Lighting fireworks in unincorporated parts of the County of Monterey and outside the city where one purchased safe and sane fireworks is illegal. If you want to report suspected illicit fireworks you can call the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency phone number at 831-755-5111. Areas of Santa Cruz County other than Watsonville or Capitola where safe and sane fireworks are permitted. See more coverage of top Central Coast stories here | Download our app | Download Very Local
Across the Central Coast, there have been calls for illegal fireworks to law enforcement. The closer we get to July 4 that will most likely continue.
Video in media player from previous coverage.
Safe and sane fireworks, which do not fly or explode, are the only type of fireworks that are legal to use and buy in California, but only in certain cities.
On the Central Coast, those cities include Gonzales, Greenfield, Hollister, King City, Marina, Salinas, San Juan Bautista, Seaside, Soledad and Watsonville.
Fireworks that leave the ground are illegal everywhere in the state. These fireworks, including skyrockets, bottle rockets, Roman candles, aerial shells, and firecrackers, typically cause loud explosions.
We have compiled a list for those wondering how to call law enforcement if they hear or see illegal fireworks.
How to report illegal fireworks
Salinas: You can report illegal fireworks by clicking this link.
In the city of Santa Cruz, call the police non-emergency lines at 831-471-1131.
Illegal fireworks in Watsonville can be reported through the Watsonville Police Department’s app or by calling 831-471-1151.
In Seaside, residents are asked to call police dispatch at 831-394-6811.
Police in Soledad encourage people to call the department’s non-emergency line at (831) 755-5111.
In Hollister, residents are asked to call the police non-emergency dispatch line at 831-636-4331
Where is it illegal to light fireworks?
Lighting fireworks in unincorporated parts of the County of Monterey and outside the city where one purchased safe and sane fireworks is illegal. If you want to report suspected illicit fireworks you can call the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency phone number at 831-755-5111.
Areas of Santa Cruz County other than Watsonville or Capitola where safe and sane fireworks are permitted.
See more coverage of top Central Coast stories here | Download our app | Download Very Local