It won’t do any good for the city of Gilroy to hike the fines up
to $500 for the possession or setting off of illegal fireworks
unless the law is enforced.
It won’t do any good for the city of Gilroy to hike the fines up to $500 for the possession or setting off of illegal fireworks unless the law is enforced.
Only two people were cited last year for violating the existing illegal fireworks law. The new ordinance will allow for “administrative citations” to be handed out, apparently lowering the burden of proof of guilt. But even in that light the math lesson from last year doesn’t add up: 7,349 illegal fireworks confiscated, two citations.
Let’s not make the mistake of equating “doing something” with passing a new law that ups the fines.
If people – a number of them – continue to set off illegal fireworks and they are not cited, the trend of more and more illegal fireworks will continue.
That dangerous trend resulted in two serious house fires in 2003 and upped the ante in the ongoing debate about allowing legal fireworks. Gilroy is the only city in Santa Clara County that continues to allow legal fireworks to be set off. But that freedom is in jeopardy due to the idiotic acts of a few rogues who can’t contain themselves.
They need to receive citations – and, frankly, if the fine is $500, all the better. Residents who spot people setting off illegal fireworks when the Fourth of July gets near should call the city’s fireworks hotline. The more busts that take place and the more the public becomes aware of the stiff fines, the less likely there will be an ongoing serious problem.
Besides enforcing any new law, the city has the responsibility to make sure all hands are on deck for the holiday. Enough officers, firefighters, paid call firefighters, etc. need to be on duty to enforce the new law.
It would be wonderful if word got out that the city is serious about cracking down to the point that illegal fireworks activity came to a screeching halt. That’s unlikely, so this year Gilroy should be prepared to hand out citations left and right if need dictates.
At the for-charity stands where legal fireworks are sold throughout the city, large signs announcing the increased fines and the crackdown should be visible to customers and everyone driving by.
The goal is to retain the tradition of legal fireworks as a celebration of Independence Day and minimize any danger of fire – residential or wild – so that our residents remain safe.
Strict laws with a commitment to enforcement should strike the balance between safety and fun that the community desires.
