Hollister
– The city confiscated about one-fourth the illegal fireworks
snatched up last year over the Fourth of July holiday period, a
decline officials attributed to employee cuts, timing and prior
years’ enforcement.
Hollister – The city confiscated about one-fourth the illegal fireworks snatched up last year over the Fourth of July holiday period, a decline officials attributed to employee cuts, timing and prior years’ enforcement.
City code enforcer Mike Chambless had estimated last week that about 100 pounds of illegal fireworks had been confiscated in Hollister, but O’Connor put that figure at around 55 pounds Tuesday.
In 2006, firefighters confiscated about 200 pounds, O’Connor said.
The fireworks will be handed over to the state fire marshal for destruction. O’Connor said that three possible factors contributed to fewer seizures.
“In years past we’ve had a larger presence of people out there, but because of the reduction in force, I was the only one out there,” O’Connor said.
Both O’Connor and Chambless were on the lookout for illegal fireworks.
People may have not bought illegal fireworks this year because the Fourth of July fell in the middle of the week, and in previous years enforcement had been heavy during that timeframe, O’Connor said.
Four Hollister residents were cited for possession of illegal fireworks, the captain said. One of the four had started a small grass fire July 4 near Meridian and Clearview roads, O’Connor said.
“Basically, if they start a fire, they’re going to be given a citation for sure,” O’Connor said.
When city officials find residents using illegal fireworks, authorities typically give a warning and only hand out citations if they return to the same address later, O’Connor said.
“We’re usually pretty polite with the people,” O’Connor said.
If convicted of illegal firework possession, people can face up to $1,000 in fines or six months in jail depending on the severity of the violation, O’Connor said.
