Hollister
– Pyromaniacs beware.
Hollister – Pyromaniacs beware.
In an effort to stave off the fires and injuries that are all too common this time of year, local public safety officials are preparing for the annual crackdown on illegal fireworks during the Fourth of July.
“It’s definitely a priority,” Hollister Fire Department Chief Bill Garringer said. “Every year they cause the same problems, so we have our people out patrolling and confiscating whatever we find.”
Independence Day celebrations may seem incomplete without a backyard explosion or two, or at least a handful of sparklers. But illegal fireworks are the cause of between an estimated 100 to 150 incidents that city firefighters must respond to each Fourth of July weekend, according to Garringer.
“I’d say at least 95 percent of those calls are because of illegal fireworks,” he said. “The safe and sane ones don’t really give us any trouble.”
Already the city has posted signage announcing Hollister’s “Zero Tolerance” policy regarding illegal fireworks, warning citizens and visitors alike of possible consequences should they be caught with any. Though the crime is a misdemeanor, violators could face a $5,000 fine or spend a year in jail. For first offenders, however, a month or two in jail and a fine of several hundred dollars is more likely, according to the city code.
“I think our zero tolerance policy is a good idea because we don’t want to have to write an ordinance that would get rid of fireworks altogether,” said Hollister City Councilwoman Pauline Valdivia, who also said she has been troubled with illegal revelers on her own street in years past. “Our local nonprofits use the legal ones as fundraisers, and it’s for a good cause.”
If someone is actually hurt because of your illegal fireworks, however, you can expect serious trouble.
“Possessing illegal fireworks is a misdemeanor,” San Benito County District Attorney John Sarsfield said. “But if someone is injured as a result or a fire starts, that could be an arson and the consequences are much more serious. The best thing to do is to leave them alone and not take any chances, because you could be putting someone in real danger.”
Hollister is particularly plagued with illegal fireworks because of the annual influx of visitors for the Independence Day Biker Rally. Traditionally, thousands of visitors have come from states where items such as bottle rockets and Roman Candles are legal and bring them for their celebrations in town.
“People will just pick them up before they ever even get to California,” said Garringer.
Local residents are just as likely to offend, however, if they have an opportunity to pick up out-of-state – or even out-of-country – fireworks, particularly if they have a lot of property on which to light them.
“Everybody around here knows that they’re not supposed to do it, but it doesn’t stop them,” Captain Rick Espino of the local California Department of Forestry and Fire said. “It seems like we must have the best seat in town for the illegal fireworks they set off across the street.”
A few residents are injured each year when fireworks go off in their hands, but far more common are the grass and property fires that occur when flying fireworks go haywire.
“Anything that shoots down sparks from the sky is bad,” Garringer said. “It’s hot and dry, and when sparks land on dry grass, fences or old roofs, you’re going to have a fire.”
Incidents involving legal fireworks are extremely rare, but officials advise families to be sensible around fire, whatever the circumstances, and never to allow children to play with fireworks without adult supervision.
“If you want to have parties with your neighbors and light off fireworks, that’s fine,” Garringer said. “But always have at least a bucket of water on hand or a garden hose, and stay away from dry grass.”
To report somebody with illegal fireworks, call 636-4326 for the non-emergency police dispatch line.
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected].
