BACKGROUND:
During the Fourth of July weekend (July 1st – July 5th) the police department staffed our regularly scheduled patrol shifts with supplemental officers to assist with the enforcement of firework activity.
The illegal possession and discharge of aerial and exploding fireworks continued to be a challenge for the police and fire departments over the last few years. The extra personnel primarily focused on reducing the firework activity and enforcing laws when applicable.
DISCUSSION:
During the time period from July 1st through July 5th, the police department deployed 3 additional officers per night shift to supplement patrol on calls related to fireworks. On July 4th, 2022, 9 officers were deployed on patrol, 3 officers conducted fireworks enforcement, 1 officer assigned to OTS grant enforcement and 1 Citizen on Patrol were in the field.
During that time period dispatch received a total of 765 calls for service, with 163 related to fireworks activity. Specifically on July 4th, 2022, dispatch received 102 calls for service, with 74 related to firework activity. In comparison during July 4th, 2021, CCPD officers responded to 213 calls for service. Of those 213 calls, 118 were related to the discharge of fireworks.
During the time period of June 1st through June 30th, dispatch received 4,309 calls for service with 59 related to firework activity. In comparison to the same time period for June of 2021, dispatch received 3,645 calls for service with 49 related to fireworks.
During this enforcement period 3 adults and 1 juvenile were arrested for possession of and/or sale of illegal fireworks. All were issued citations with later court appearances.
In comparing the last two years, this year saw a decrease in calls for service and calls related to firework activity. A few residents called and/or messaged CCPD indicating this was the first year where activity was significantly reduced.
From July 1st through July 5th, 2022, the below cities recorded the following firework calls:
• Desert Hot Springs – 93
• Rancho Mirage – 1
• Palm Desert – 11
• Indio – 43 (Indio allowed Safe & Sane fireworks)
• Palm Springs – Unknown
FISCAL IMPACT:
Police – Overtime costs were incurred as a result of staffing extra personnel. This fiscal impact was covered with previously budgeted overtime.