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More complaints of fireworks in some cities
Firefighters extinguish three small blazes around the county
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More from Local NewsComplaints about fireworks decreased this week in some Ventura County cities when compared with last year, but increased in others amid stepped-up enforcement efforts by police.
Preliminary data showed more fireworks complaints were made by residents in Ventura, Simi Valley and areas patrolled by the Sheriff's Department when compared with a year ago, but fewer were reported in Oxnard.
Not all cities had data from 2006, and most were still counting this year's numbers on Thursday.
Fears that July 4 fireworks would set off fast-moving blazes in the county's tinder-dry brush did not materialize, although three small fires were reported Wednesday.
A bottle rocket was found lodged in the siding of a two-story home in the 1100 block of Sycamore Drive in Simi Valley after firefighters extinguished a small fire there Wednesday night, Simi Valley police Sgt. Karl Becker said.
The fire was reported about 10 p.m., said Tom Kruschke, a spokesman for the Ventura County Fire Department. It caused minor damage to the home's external lattice work.
Authorities also suspect that fireworks caused a small grass fire about 10 p.m. Wednesday near Highway 118 and Stearns Street in Simi Valley, Becker said. Fire officials had not determined the cause as of Thursday.
A fire in the 1100 block of Fir Court in Oxnard caused $60,000 worth of damage to a garage, and one person was treated at the scene for minor smoke inhalation, said Deborah Shane, a spokeswoman for the Oxnard Fire Department. The fire's cause was still being investigated Thursday.
Last year, fireworks were blamed for two serious structure fires in Simi Valley. "We have been fortunate," Kruschke said of this year.
Concern over the high fire danger was one factor that led law enforcement agencies to bolster anti-fireworks efforts this year.
Oxnard doubled the number of officers working undercover this week and set up a hotline for people to report habitual fireworks users. Officers then visited those individuals to warn them about citations.
Oxnard police issued 54 citations for fireworks violations, according to preliminary data, said police spokesman David Keith. Of those, 21 carried $1,000 penalties and 33 carried $200 fines.
Fireworks-related calls in Oxnard decreased from 1,500 in 2006 to 1,070 this year, according to preliminary counts.
In Fillmore, where a limited variety of "safe and sane" fireworks are legal around Independence Day, 15 fireworks violations were reported Wednesday, compared with 16 last year, said Sheriff's Capt. Bruce Macedo.
Simi Valley, which also had a fireworks hotline, recorded 287 fireworks calls July 4, compared with 229 last year, Becker said.
As of Thursday afternoon, the department had counted 26 citations issued Wednesday. Last year, its officers issued 34.
Like police in other departments, Simi Valley officers often found fireworks abandoned in the street by people who likely knew they faced fines, Becker said. Violators were hard to pick out, he said.
"Fireworks have been a tradition for a lot longer than I've been around," he said. "It is just hard to get people to break that tradition."
Ventura police responded to 221 fireworks-related calls Wednesday, as opposed to 155 last year, said Lt. David Wilson. The department issued three $100 citations.
The Sheriff's Department logged more than 400 fireworks related calls July 3-4, 17 more than the previous year, said Capt. Jerry Hernandez.
Santa Paula police received 41 calls about fireworks on July 4, Police Chief Steve MacKinnon said. Officers' workload was about the same as last year, MacKinnon said.
Port Hueneme police registered about 20 calls, Cmdr. Ken Dobbe said. Dobbe wasn't sure how that compared with last year, but he noticed the street near his home was unusually quiet Wednesday.
"My own personal street is usually like a battleground," he said.
Posted by kbaker4us on July 6, 2007 at 5:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am glad there were few injuries and little structural damage due to fireworks this year. However, I still don't get the fasination of setting off things that can cause so much damage. There are many other ways to get your kicks. I also wonder why Ventura County does not ban fireworks in all cities and put Fillmore in the history books. What is wrong with Fillmore?
Posted by Old_Fart on July 6, 2007 at 5:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It was quieter in my neighborhood, but it was still pretty bad. At least the neighbors wrapped it up by 930 this year.
Posted by AnaCapa on July 6, 2007 at 6:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It was like a war zone in my neighborhood. I quit calling the police because they don't do anything abut it anyway.
Posted by mtnbkr on July 6, 2007 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was surprised to see the numbers from S.V., because it seemed a lot quieter in my neighborhood than the last couple years...
Posted by latinmale38 on July 6, 2007 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i am all for celebrating the birth of our country, and i welcome fireworks to show our love and apreciation for the people who have sacraficed so much so that we may celebrate the 4th. but one thing we are over looking here, is the effect thse fire works, leagal or not,have on our pets. the lighting of fire works should be limited to the 4th only. not before or after. lets give our little pals a break and start looking out for them.
Posted by palmerda on July 6, 2007 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't blame Fillmore. Legally, that city can only sell fireworks that do not leave the ground. So, all those Roman candles, bottle rockets, and other airborn fireworks (which are the ones that cause the damage we read about) came from somewhere else - most likely across the border. The fault lies with both the border patrol and all those citizens out there who feel obliged to break the law for their own amusement.
Posted by Sweets on July 7, 2007 at 5:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm just glad they didnt mess with the beach on the 4th!! It was a blast!!! LIKE ALWAYS!
Posted by socal2310 on July 8, 2007 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Fireworks are legal in numerous other states (and last I knew, Californians weren't the only people who own pets); shut down the trade from Mexico and they'll be brought in from Idaho.
I wonder if anyone has attempted an alternative means of dispute resolution with noisy neighbors, like talking to them instead of calling the cops? It's a funny thing about people, they are often quite rude to perfect strangers but so polite when you know their name.
Posted by ntsqd on July 9, 2007 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Just because it's the law doesn't make it right. If every law on the books were vigorously enforced I doubt anyone could leave their home without being cited or arrested.
It's true that we are a nation of laws, but we have too many laws. Quite a few of these recent laws I view as gratuitous, feel-good laws enacted by those seeking re-election. I've long thought that for a new law to be considered an old one had to be found that could be stricken from the books.
Posted by bastecki on July 9, 2007 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We were on vacation the week of July 4th. When we returned our yard (and entire neighborhood) was littered with bottle rocket remnants. Fortunately, there was no damage other than the dozens of rocket pieces. It appears that our neighborhood might have been a target for idiots who have no concern for others' safety and property. Since our neighborhood is adjacent to Atherwood Park, I assume the park was the launch point (adjacent to the wilderness area).
Next year I'll be home with a night vision camera and catch the perps if they try a stunt like this again.
Posted by JimmyM on July 12, 2007 at 8:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe if the cities hadn’t outlawed all of the safe fireworks this wouldn’t be such a problem. When people are forced to go out of state or use the black market they will buy whatever is available. I would be happy to purchase and burn “safe and sane fireworks” if they were available locally. Without that option, the next best thing is to watch the illegal fireworks provided by my neighbors. Judging by the relatively small number of complaints (Simi Valley 287 calls from a population of over 200,000) most people feel the way I do. When used properly “safe and sane fireworks” pose absolutely no risk of starting a fire or causing an injury. Why shouldn’t I be allowed to use them in my celebrations?
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