Oceanside considers new tactics for fighting illegal fireworks

Roaming eyes in the skies could help Oceanside fight the spread of illegal fireworks next summer.

Stiff fines and the deployment of aerial drones with cameras are part of a new program city staffers are working on at the request of Councilmember Rick Robinson.

On July 4th this year, there were “a lot of illegal fireworks throughout the city, probably as much as I’ve seen in a long, long time,” said Robinson, a former Oceanside fire chief, adding that he’s had emails from residents concerned about it.

Fire Chief David Parsons said illegal fireworks are a problem in many cities, and he’s looked into ways that other cities handle it.

“I have to admit also being frustrated by our inability to get on top of this problem,” Parsons said in an Aug. 20 presentation to the Oceanside City Council. “I think for eight, nine or maybe 10 years we’ve tried a different solution every year … and honestly it didn’t really come to fruition as much as I would have liked.”

Illegal fireworks are a concern for a number of reasons. They pollute the air and awaken people in the night. Family pets, especially dogs, are frightened by the noise and will hide or try to run away. Also, serious injuries can occur.

“We respond on a yearly basis to hand injuries, eye injuries (and more)… so it’s a public safety issue as well as a quality-of-life issue,” Parsons said.

Parsons said he’s discussed the idea of using drones for enforcement with Police Chief Taurino Valdovinos.

“We think there is something we can do with our current staff, with direction from (the City Council) and the city manager’s office … that may have some real meat on the bone,” Parsons said.

Valdovinos said illegal fireworks have been a problem in Oceanside for as long as he can remember.

“Being in possession of, or letting off fireworks is a misdemeanor,” he said. “It has to be committed in our presence (for a citation to be issued).

“Whenever there are fireworks, people shoot them off and we respond 20 minutes later, maybe 15 minutes or whatever, and nobody can tell us who shot them off,” he said. “If we don’t observe them in person, then somebody has to be willing to identify the person and sign a citizen’s arrest. It’s nearly impossible to take any enforcement action.”

Other cities have had some success using drones, Valdovinos said. He contacted a police captain in Elk Grove, where they launch three or four drones in different areas of the city on July Fourth.

“They have a code enforcement officer who sits with the drone operators,” Valdovinos said. “Whenever they see a firework, they respond with a drone to that location and, using the camera, they see if they can see anybody in plain view lighting up the fireworks.”

Anyone spotting launching a firework in Elk Grove can be cited and fined up to $1,000 per violation, he said.

“They had to set a cap on it because the first year they did it, one community member received fines (totaling) up to $300,000,” Valdovinos said. “They had to work with that individual, and they reduced the fine.”

Elk Grove, near Sacramento, saw a 34% reduction in calls for service related to fireworks as a result of the program, he said.

The five Oceanside council members did not vote on the proposal, but agreed to have staffers work on the details and bring it back for a decision.

“To me there is a big difference between a kid with a roman candle and the commercial-grade fireworks that are getting shot off that actually rival what the city does at El Corazon Park,” said Councilmember Peter Weiss.

“I have no problem going after those commercial-grade fireworks people,” Weiss said.

Aerial drones are taking an increasing role in law enforcement. Oceanside’s Police Department launched its first drones in 2016, using equipment carried by officers in patrol cars to crime scenes and special events.

However, it takes time for officers in cars to arrive at a scene and then prepare their equipment before the drone becomes airborne. The delay greatly reduces the chances of arresting an offender.

Late this summer, for the first time, Oceanside began using a “first responder” drone that can be launched instantly from the roof of City Hall and arrive at its destination minutes before police officers.

Oddly enough, Oceanside also is one of many cities switching from traditional explosive fireworks to colorful displays of hundreds of lighted, airborne drones for its July Fourth celebration. This year, Oceanside’s exhibition included both aerial drones and traditional explosives.

City Manager Jonathan Borrego said the staff can bring a detailed fireworks control program back to the City Council by the end of this year, which would allow enough time to educate the public about its use before next year’s Independence Day celebrations.