65A - OPTIONS FOR FIREWORKS - Laserfiche WebLink

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Options for the Use and Sale of Safe and Sane Fire Fireworks April 5, 2016 Page 2 dispatched to assist the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), which also handled higher than normal call volume during this time period. The Police Department had up- staffed for the six day Fourth of July holiday operational period and specifically brought in an additional 33 police officers including the Chief of Police, Deputy Chief over Field Operations and a District Commander. The call volume overwhelmed the communications center and field resources were unable to manage fireworks related activity. Addressing normal holiday related police activity became incredibly difficult and the overall activity was unprecedented. All of these calls for service pertained to modified safe and sane fireworks or illegal fireworks being discharged. Understanding the benefits that firework sales bring to community organizations, in 2015 the City began evaluating the impacts associated with both legal and illegal fireworks within City limits. Currently, there are nine cities within Orange County that allow the sale and discharge of safe and sane fireworks (Anaheim, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Stanton, Villa Park, Westminster and Santa Ana). Discussions with these cities revealed that each of these jurisdictions reported similar difficulties pertaining to call volume and activity attributed to mixed use of both legal and illegal fireworks. Cities that ban fireworks are not immune to illegal fireworks related activity. An informal survey of Orange County cities that ban all fireworks revealed they also respond to and address illegal fireworks during the holiday period, but the call volume is significantly less. These cities report that responding officers can more easily take enforcement actions since all fireworks are banned and the difficulties surrounding the determination of safe and sane versus illegal fireworks are eliminated. Lastly, agencies report lower levels of illegal skyrocket type fireworks. The Public Safety and Neighborhood Improvement Council Committee requested a presentation outlining the options for regulating fireworks within the City. On February 22, 2016, the Police Department made a presentation to the Committee outlining the options for regulating fireworks within the City. The Committee recommended that the options be presented to the City Council for consideration except for the City of Anaheim model, which has geographic restrictions not applicable to the City of Santa Ana. OPTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION Option 1: The sale and use of safe & sane fireworks remain legal in the City of Santa Ana The City Council can choose to maintain the City's current fireworks policy without changes. It is anticipated that in 2016 the City will experience the same or moderately increased activity as seen in 2015. The Police Department expects to respond to over 800 firework related calls for service in June and over a several day span near and after the Fourth of July holiday. It is also anticipated that OCFA will also assume similar or slightly increased call volumes. 65A -2