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Crackdown planned on illegal fireworks
Fillmore wants special enforcement team to deter sales, issue citations
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More from FillmoreTo discourage the use of illegal fireworks in Fillmore, fire officials have for years been showing a poster of a child's damaged hand the finger bones are exposed after the flesh was blown off to teach schoolchildren about the dangers.
Police and fire officials have also patrolled the streets and passed out fliers to deter the use of illegal fireworks.
But they still believe that more outreach needs to be done.
Officials hope to curb the use of illegal fireworks by manning the streets with extra deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff's Department and a special "enforcement car" that would have a deputy and firefighter who would issue citations and track down illegal fireworks sales.
"We have found that the illegal fireworks have been our largest struggle in the past few years," Fillmore Fire Chief Pete Egedi said.
Egedi plans to ask the City Council on June 12 for $3,120 to help pay for the enforcement team from June 28 to July 4.
Enforcement efforts also will be funded with more than $20,000 of revenue from citations for illegal fireworks given last year, Egedi said.
Forty-four citations for illegal fireworks were issued last year, with four later dismissed, he said.
According to the ordinance, residents caught possessing, selling, using or discharging "dangerous fireworks" will be fined $1,000.
Fireworks labeled "safe and sane" by the state fire marshal can be used in Fillmore, but only from noon June 28 until noon July 5, Fillmore fire officials said. Fillmore is the only city in Ventura County where fireworks are sold.
Fire officials said they believe that many Fillmore residents have the misconception that fireworks can be brought into and used in the city at any time. They stressed, however, that only certain fireworks are legal in the city and only during the eight-day time frame from late June through early July.
Mary Ellen Alvarez, a Fillmore native who said she has "been through a lot of fireworks," believes that curbing the use of illegal fireworks is needed.
"When Fillmore was a much, much smaller city, we had very responsible people, and we were all very aware of the dangers of fireworks," she said. "Now what I see is it's very dangerous."
Alvarez said she remembers seeing illegal fireworks many times, including an incident in which a rocketlike device landed on the roof of a structure at San Cayetano Elementary School. Fortunately, there was no fire, she said.
"There's just so much that can happen," Alvarez said.
Nearly 20 more officers from the Ventura County Sheriff's Department will help patrol the week before Independence Day and during July 4, Sgt. Dave Wareham said.
The Fire Department plans to send mailers to everyone in the 93015 ZIP code, informing them about safety, illegal fireworks and the city's ordinance, city Disaster Coordinator Patrick Maynard said.
The department also plans to print about 30,000 postcards to be passed out to customers at fireworks stands.
The Fire Department is trying to eliminate hazards and keep the area as safe as possible, Egedi said.
"We're just doing our job," he said.
Posted by Ventura22 on May 25, 2007 at 8:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Safe and sane are just as dangerous and capable of setting a massive fire as the crap from out-of-state or mexico; the real threat in that wildfire prone area. Yet thet still condone the sale of these in their city?? Morons! I wish the groups that sell them would be held civilly liable for any fires or injuries caused by the fireworks sold by their organization.
Posted by Ventura22 on May 26, 2007 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We'll see how many fires get set this year. The the morons who get caught can make excuses like "I was just celebrating our independence". Yeah, good one Fillmore. Selling fireworks out there(or most places in wildfire prone Cali) is like selling guns to teenagers in gang territory; you know something is going to happen! Maybe someday common sense will set-in, or we will burn-up all of the morons eventually. Leave the fireworks stuff to the licensed professionals who do the public displays.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 27, 2007 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nivey, I agree ! Fireworks can be totally safe if used as directed and under supervision. Its the people that come in from other cities and counties that ruin it . All Fillmore fireworks stands sell safe and sane fireworks. None of them shoot up over houses into the air landing on roofs. Those types are brought in. People actually scope out the people buying the safe fireworks and lure them to thier car to buy illegal fireworks. The show uptown is great. But parking is terrible ! So why not light a few in the streets to let your children enjoy the celebration. People who see neighbors lighting off illegal fireworks need to report them immediately. The sales from fireworks help out financially alot of the non profit org. If not for the option to be able to sell these fireworks alot of non profit org. would not be able to make it. Please just keep it Safe and Sane !!!!!
Posted by Voter on May 27, 2007 at 4:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Get a life, stop calling people Morons"Nivey".
Okay they don't use their brains, but name calling please.
Who calls themselves, "Nivey" LOL
Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 28, 2007 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nivey, Ventura had some good points! Actually with the truth speaking it is Morons who use illegal fireworks and start fires. The fines are very stiff for those caught with illegal fireworks. With Fillmore being a small town the fireworks booths bring in much needed money for the org. It reduces the cost of playing football,baseball for those that cant afford the high prices. It helps the Church's the Search and Rescue teams etc. Really the only fire I see year upon year is the hill going down into North Fillmore. Which is usually put out right away.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 29, 2007 at 7:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No they have always cared. And I have ran a fireworks booth for four plus years, many years ago! And people were cited for selling illegal fireworks from the trunks of thier cars. Also cops cruise the streets on bicycles and sneak up on people lighting off the illegal fireworks. If people would just follow the rules !!!! Everything would be great. And parents should always be the ones to light them off while the children watch. They outlawed sparklers a few years back also.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on June 1, 2007 at 6:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They are safe and sane ! They are ground fireworks that only shoot up a certain amount of feet. IF used properly they are perfectly safe. The sparklers were deemed unsafe as well as the flowers the spin and hop a bit and those are no longer available.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on June 2, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gotta agree with Nivey! Show me the facts? Besides stupid people coming and buying them and then taking them home and using them in outlaw'd areas?
I havent seen any homes burn...in Fillmore that I can remember? Each booth also pays a certain fee to the city for the extra patrol and firemen. Its really a big highlight of the year if you go by the rules and use them properly. Nothing major has happened that I remember?
We allow people from other cities to come in and buy them (you have to be 16). And then go to our parks and our schools and camp out all day and barbeque and have a great family day out ! My only wish would be for those out of towners to clean up thier trash after they are done. But we do have some GREAT volunteers that are out the next day cleaning up all the shool yards and parks. Awesome Volunteers !!!!!!!!!
Posted by AnnaWhaat on June 3, 2007 at 7:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well I think its just sad that people have to be pigs and not pick up after theirselves ! We always pick up after ourselves starting with a five gallon bucket with water in it for the ones we used that may be still lit. And then sweep everything in a pile out of the streets and come morning we are out bright and early to clean up all the gutter stuff. Plus some of the neighbors things too ! But I have seen many dry summers during the 4th of July. And not many fires. While I can understand the concern. I havent seen many fires that totally get out of control .
Posted by AnnaWhaat on June 5, 2007 at 6:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Joining them is just fine ! But do not be a pig and please clean your own mess ! DO you throw your trash out of the car cause you know the street sweeper will be coming. These are volunteers who get up early the next morning and clean all day! Be appreciative !!!!
Posted by longtimeresident on June 5, 2007 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As a life-time resident of Fillmore and a member of many volunteer organizations, I am shocked by the amount of comments made questioning the decisions our City makes. I agree that nothing is "safe or sane" when one purchases an item and lights it on fire to view its enjoyment. The city and the fire department are not punishing those that follow the rules. They are punishing those that choose to break the law and purchase or sell fireworks that are illegal in the ENTIRE state of California. If the fireworks that our non-profit organizations sell each year are used in the proper manner in which they were manufactured and set off in a safe place away from hillsides and anything that could be potentially flamable, then there is no issue. The issue is clear-illegal fireworks are dangerous, and the misuse of "safe and sane" fireworks is just as dangerous. The misuse of "safe and sane" fireworks will also warrant the same $1000 citation. Parents need to supervise their children under the age of 18. Parents are ultimately responsible for the actions of their minor children.
The non-profit organizations that sell these each year are inspected by the Fire Chief and the Fire Marshall. If inspection is not passed, the resale permit is not authorized. They also make surprise visits to ensure all laws are being abided by. This includes selling to anyone under the age of 16 and ensuring that volunteers working in the booths are 18 years or older. I can assure you that volunteers will question the age of a potential purchaser if they believe they are under 16. The fire cheif and the fire marshall are very strict, and if any rule is broken they will cite the volunteer, and potentially this can risk the organization from being able to participate in this sale again.
The money earned during this week is essential to the life of our non-profit organizations. For some, this is the only fund-raiser they have the ability to do. As we all know, we live in a community that is not in a high income status for the most part. This fund raiser keeps the costs down for our children's organizations such as Youth Football, Soccer, Girls Softball, Little League, 4-H, FFA, Boy Scouts, and High School Athletics so that all children may participate.
This is my recommendation to all. Make sure the fireworks you purchase are legal in the state of California. Supervise your fireworks display. Make sure you're in a safe area. If you see neighbors with illegal fireworks, contact the sheriff's department and you will remain anonymous. Let's all make an effort to be responsible and we'll all have a Happy and Safe Independence Day.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on June 6, 2007 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Longtimeresident,Very well said. And lets not forget Grad night live! All this money from the sales of fireworks helps to provide a cruise on grad night. Saving no telling how many lives, for those that would have otherwise attended a party and been drinking and maybe killed.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on June 9, 2007 at 8:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
wideopenweb, Im sorry the people that live in your city are not considerate enough to clean up after themselves..... Guess they just dont care.
In Fillmore the majority of all homeowners etc DO get out and clean and sweep up thier own mess. Its the out of towners that do NOT.
Longtimeresident, Also the Fire Dept. inspects for rules that the booths have to abide by for safety such as a five gallon bucket of water at each entrance. And a fire extinguisher and all electical wiring inside the booth!!
Posted by 99HDRIDER on June 14, 2007 at 7:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cant we all get along? i remember that saying....
Posted by AnnaWhaat on June 16, 2007 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sure we can ! Come, eat, enjoy the show, Just clean up after your own self.......
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