Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 2.C
Meeting
Date:
August 13, 2025
From: George Crum, Police Chief
Michael Contreras, Fire Chief
Title: 2025 Firework Enforcement and Response Activity Update RECOMMENDATION:
Information and discussion only.
BACKGROUND:
During the Fourth of July weekend (July 3rd–July 5th), the Cathedral City Police Department augmented regularly scheduled patrol shifts with supplemental officers to address the ongoing challenge of illegal fireworks activity. The possession and discharge of aerial and explosive fireworks remain prohibited within city limits, yet they continue to generate numerous complaints and safety concerns annually.
In coordination with Code Enforcement and the Fire Department, the Police Department deployed additional personnel to focus on proactive enforcement, reduce firework-related activity, and address violations where appropriate.
DISCUSSION:
From July 3rd through July 5th, 2025, the Police Department deployed two additional officers per night shift. On July 4th specifically, nine officers were assigned to patrol duties, with an additional three officers working alongside Code Enforcement to address firework violations.
Dispatch was staffed with three dispatchers and one supervisor to handle the anticipated increase in call volume.
Call Volume Summary:
Total Calls for Service (July 3–5, 2025): 546
oFireworks-Related Calls: 77
Calls on July 4, 2025: 194
oFireworks-Related Calls: 55
Calls on July 4, 2024: 118
oFireworks-Related Calls: 74
June Comparison:
June 1-30, 2025: 4,056 total calls / 12 fireworks-related June 1-30, 2024: 4,274 total calls / 31 fireworks-related Enforcement Summary:
Total Arrests: 5 adults cited for possession and/or sale of illegal fireworks oAll individuals received citations with pending court appearances While total calls for service increased this year compared to the previous year, there was a decrease in fireworks-related calls, which may suggest that proactive enforcement and public education efforts contributed to deterrence. Notably, the holiday fell on a Friday in 2025 versus a Thursday in 2024, and Fridays historically tend to have a higher volume of calls for service.
The department also received feedback from several residents who expressed that fireworks activity appeared significantly reduced compared to previous years.
The Fire department analyzed call data with two different criteria during the 4th of July holiday, the first was the number of calls on the 4th of July for a single day and the second being the day before and the day after comprising of July 3-5. 4th of July Comparison
Years | Calls:
• 2023 - 26 calls for service
• 2024 - 25 calls for service
• 2025 - 18 calls for service
Observations:
• 2023 compared to 2024: 26 calls for service - 1 call decrease (3.8%) • 2024 compared to 2025: 25 calls for service - 7 call decrease from the previous year (28.0%)
July 3 – 5th Comparison
In 2023, the department responded to 142 calls
In 2024, the department responded to 155 calls representing a 9% increase from the prior year.
In 2025, the department responded to 139, representing a 10% decrease Both analyses showed a decrease call volumes of 28% for the single day and 10% on the 3 day call volume, both showing a significant drop in call volume.
Community Education:
Public education campaigns were launched in June using community mailers, social media and decals placed on fire engines and city vehicles to raise awareness and discourage illegal fireworks use.
Future Improvements:
In 2026, the Police Department plans to utilize its Drone First Responder (DFR) program to enhance situational awareness and enforcement capabilities during high-activity periods such as the Fourth of July.
In 2026 the fire department will continue with our public outreach and education program on social media, decals on city vehicles and bus stops as well as press outreach.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Police – Overtime expenses were incurred due to the deployment of additional officers during the holiday enforcement period. These costs were covered under the department’s pre-budgeted overtime allocation.
Fire - the total cost of the community outreach mailers, vehicle decals and bus stop posters was $14,162.95.
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal E Safety
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Fireworks Recap Powerpoint