Gilroy, this may be our last chance to celebrate Independence
Day with individual fireworks.
Gilroy, this may be our last chance to celebrate Independence Day with individual fireworks.
Our fair city, the last in the county that allows the sale and use of “safe and sane” fireworks such as sparklers, pinwheels and cones, may be forced to ban them altogether if we have a repeat performance – or even a partial recall – of last year’s alarming Independence Day.
On July 4, 2003, fireworks ignited seven vegetation fires and two house fires. There were no serious injuries, but the tab to extinguish the fires was high, and the damage to the homes totaled more than $400,000.
After that harrowing night, City Councilman Bob Dillon called for a total ban on fireworks sales in Gilroy. Removing the legal fireworks makes enforcement easier, and lowers the risk of fires that can be caused even by the safe and sane variety.
His proposal wasn’t met with huzzahs – Gilroy has embraced the American tradition and, of course, more than a dozen community groups rely on fireworks sales for a large part of their annual revenue. Beyond that, allowing safe and sane fireworks is one of the charming characteristics of our town that makes Gilroy such a great place to live.
But we live in a region that is dry as tinder in July, making sparks flying through the air an even more dangerous proposition than in other locales. If we can’t handle fireworks safely and responsibly, for the greater good, a ban is likely.
Gilroy’s leaders have a plan in place this year to try to avoid a repeat of last year’s frightening fires. Enforcement – both by police and fire officials – will be tripled this July 4. Illegal fireworks will be confiscated, those in possession will be cited, and if convicted, will face stiff fines.
But now it’s up to us to make the plan work. Let’s help Gilroy keep this aspect of its unique character. Only purchase and use safe and sane fireworks and only use them from July 1 to July 4. Supervise children carefully, and use fireworks according to directions. If you see people using illegal fireworks, report them immediately by calling 846-0350. Illegal fireworks are those that shoot into the air, move on the ground or explode – such as bottle rockets, Roman candles or cherry bombs – and are illegal throughout California.
This could well be our last chance for Fourth of July fireworks. If we blow it this Independence Day, defending the safe and sane fireworks will become nigh unto impossible. For our community groups, for our city’s character, for our friends’ and neighbors’ safety, let’s be safe and sane with fireworks this July 4.
