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Citrus Heights Police Crackdown on Illegal Firework Hosts

Jul 07, 2021 12:00AM ● By By Lt. Wesley Herman, Citrus Heights Police Department

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - This year, the Citrus Heights City Council adopted a temporary social host ordinance designed to deter the use of illegal fireworks.  The goal of the program was to hold event hosts responsible for allowing the use of illegal fireworks at their gatherings.  Every year, the use of fireworks increases the chance for injuries to people and damage to buildings in our community.

On July 3rd and 4th, the Citrus Heights Police Department received approximately 457 firework related calls for service through our dispatch center.  In addition to these firework calls, the department handled an additional 396 routine calls for service (crimes in progress, medical aids, traffic collisions, domestic disputes, etc).  The firework calls represent approximately 53% of the 853 total calls for service received during this time frame.  The community provided 264 online tips related to fireworks in their neighborhoods.  Similar to Citrus Heights, reports from other neighboring jurisdictions in the Sacramento region confirmed they also experienced an overwhelming number of firework related calls.  

During the holiday weekend, Citrus Heights patrol officers seized approximately two dozen expended illegal fireworks and identified 16 social hosts who were in violation of the temporary ordinance.  These hosts will be receiving an administrative citation from the city’s Code Enforcement unit starting at a

$750 fine for the first offense.

A significant number of the reported illegal fireworks calls were made by community members who gave general areas for aerial fireworks and were unable to provide specific locations, making it difficult for responding officers to identify responsible parties.  This appeared to be a common challenge throughout the region making if difficult to enforce these ordinances.

The City of Citrus Heights utilized social media platforms to communicate with the community about the new temporary social host ordinance and the permitted hours for the use of legal fireworks.

The City of Citrus Heights experienced a total of three structure, or outbuilding, fires during these two days and eight brush fires.  While fireworks were a possible cause for a couple of the brush fires, none were confirmed as the source of ignition.

The Citrus Heights Police Department appreciates the cooperation from the community in reporting the use of illegal fireworks.  The safety of our community and their property is the Department’s highest priority.