Staff Report
City Council
Item No. {{section.number}}.{{item.number}}
Meeting Date: May 28, 2025
From: Michael Contreras, Fire Chief
Title: 2025 Firework Enforcement and Response Activity
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is presented for information, discussion and direction only.
BACKGROUND:
The ordinance permitting “Safe and Sane” fireworks in Cathedral City was repealed by city council vote on March 25, 2020. With the repeal of the “Safe and Sane” fireworks ordinance, and the adoption of the 2019 California Fire Code, all fireworks are prohibited in Cathedral City. The illegal possession and discharge of aerial and exploding fireworks continues to be a challenge for the police and fire departments. In anticipation of the upcoming July 4th weekend, the police department is looking to be proactive in enforcing laws around illegal firework activity.
DISCUSSION:
During July 4th of 2024, CCPD officers responded to 118 calls for service. Of those 118 calls, 74 were related to the discharge of fireworks. Beginning in June 2025, the police department will post firework educational materials on our social media platforms.
The 4th of July falls on a Friday in 2025. The police department’s operational period will begin at 1800 hours on Thursday July 3, 2025, and continue until midnight on July 6 th 2025. The police department will add additional sworn personnel to help with the response and enforcement related to fireworks activity. These additional officers will be strategically placed throughout the city in the areas where fireworks activity has been the heaviest in years past.
The additional officers will assist and supplement the regularly scheduled officers. To help with the heavy influx of calls for service into our dispatch center, an additional dispatcher will be scheduled in the dispatch center on the evening of July 4 th. An operational plan will be distributed to on-duty officers, providing information on the enforcement of illegal fireworks.
Subjects who are found to be in possession of and/or discharging fireworks will face criminal charges. The police department will be proactive in enforcing violations. Confiscated fireworks will be disposed of in coordination with the Cathedral City Fire & EMS.
Cathedral City Fire & EMS will start the No Fireworks Campaign on June 16th, 2025. This campaign will involve the following:
•Social media campaign (Facebook/Instagram) with 3 daily posts/reels/stories related to the dangers of fireworks. No Cost.
•Signs located in Sunline bus shelters (20 in total) throughout the city Removable Decals placed on all Fire department vehicles
•Use of the City’s digital billboards with All Fireworks are Prohibited graphic. •Direct mailer to all Cathedral City households.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total cost of the education campaign will be $9,017.80 which includes $517.80 for the bus shelter signs and $400.00 for the vehicle decals, and approximately $8,100 for the direct mailers. The education campaign and overtime costs will be absorbed within the department budgets.
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal E – Safety
Objective: Cathedral City is safe for all who live, work, visit and play in our community