CITY OF PACIFICA
COUNCIL AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
9/11/2023
1 SUBJECT:
2023 July 4th Activities Report
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Accept the staff report on the July 4th 2023 activities.
STAFF CONTACT:
Bill Glasgo, Police Captain
650-738-7314
[email protected]
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
Each year, the July 4th holiday brings visitors and residents alike out to enjoy local festivities and scenic beaches. Community members participate in community events, followed by Safe and Sane Fireworks in the evening hours. While a holiday for most, City of Pacifica staff must work to coordinate community events, clean and stock beach facilities, and provide public safety. Illegal fireworks are a problem in the evening hours, causing the need for increased police and fire department presence. City departments collaborated this year, as in past years, to assure a safe and enjoyable July 4th holiday for community members and visitors.
Illegal Fireworks
Illegal fireworks have long been a problem not only in Pacifica, but throughout the state. The police department continued its public information campaign in 2023 to educate the community regarding the enforcement efforts and dangers related to illegal fireworks.
In the days leading to the July 4th holiday, police department personnel erected a lighted sign board on State Route One with a message reminding citizens that illegal fireworks are not allowed in Pacifica, and of the potential for a $1,000 fine for violations. In addition, posters were distributed within the City educating community members regarding the Illegal Fireworks Social Host Ordinance, with the theme of "Host a Show, Pay the Dough." This information was followed up by press releases issued to local print and web-based media, as well as highlighted in Connect with Pacifica weekly newsletters. In addition, anti-litter posters were distributed to local businesses with the intention of keeping Pacifica clean, not only during the July 4th holiday, but year-round.
Safe and Sane Fireworks
This year, (13) non-profit groups received permits to sell Safe and Sane Fireworks. The groups attended a pre-sales informational event hosted by the Pacifica Police Department and North County Fire Authority. Fireworks booths were erected and inspected by a Fire Inspector before sales could commence. Fireworks sales went well this year without any problems being reported to police or fire departments.
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September 11, 2023
The fireworks sales season ends with mandatory beach clean-up efforts. Hosted by the Pacific Beach Coalition and assisted by Department of Public Works staff, non-profit groups report to beach locations in Pacifica to assist with clean-up efforts. Each group signs up for and works at least (10) hours on July 5th, then are required to provide at least (10) additional hours of cleanup on an assigned Saturday in July and August. City and Pacific Beach Coalition coordinate staffing and logistics based on the sign-ups from each group.
The below table indicates the number of hours of clean-up worked by each group. The total hours worked this year was 407 hours. Two groups failed to meet the minimum hours of beach clean- up as outlined in the Pacifica Municipal Code, and have been notified that they cannot participate in fireworks sales for two years. Two other groups failed to appear on the days they had signed up for, causing complications for City and Beach Coalition logistics, but did complete their hours on other days. These two groups have received warning letters that their failure to appear on their signed up days in the future will result in future exclusion from the program.
Group Hours (20 required)
American Legion 25
Pacifica Men of the Moose Lodge 34
Pacifica Girls Softball 16.5
San Francisco Archers-SFA 59.5
Pacifica United Soccer Club 67.5
Pacifica National Little League 33.5
Terra Nova High Boosters Club 48
Terra Nova High School Football 29
Bay Area Youth Baseball 22
Ingrid B Lacy Middle School 22
Pacifica Youth in Action 38
Breakfast is Beautiful 0
Passion for Sports 34
Enforcement
The July 4th holiday this year proved to be another busy day for the police department. As has been the long-standing policy, all days off were cancelled, with all sworn police personnel working at some point during the day. Police staffing was augmented by (8) officers total from South San Francisco Police Department, Daly City Police Department, Burlingame Police Department, and Colma Police Department. In past years, staff has been augmented by up to (10) additional officers. This was not possible this year due to staffing shortages experienced by many local police departments. There were (2) Police employees working in the police department front office, handling non-emergency telephone calls.
The below table depicts total calls for service and fireworks related calls for service. Statistics are shown for the entire day (July 4th though July 5th at 2:00 AM) as well as for the busiest portion of the day (July 4th 7:00 PM through July 5th at 2:00 AM). The latter is the time period when the police department is the busiest, fireworks activity is at the highest, and the number of officers working is the highest.
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September 11, 2023
2021 2022 2023
July 4th
(All
Day)
through
July 5th
(2AM)
July 4th
(7PM)
through
July 5th
(2AM)
July 4th
(All
Day)
through
July 5th
(2AM)
July 4th
(7PM)
through
July 5th
(2AM)
July 4th
(All Day)
through
July 5th
(2AM)
July 4th
(7PM)
through
July 5th
(2AM)
Total Calls for Service 329 213 240 102 242 (+8%) 157(+54%) Fireworks Calls Only 191 160 161 85 106 (-34%) 93 (+9%) This year, there were 21 administrative citations issued, compared to 20 in 2022. This year, 2 administrative citations were for violations of the social host ordinance. Of the total administrative citations issued, 15 were issued to persons residing outside of Pacifica.
Officers were also busy handling other non-firework related calls for service throughout the day.
This included responding to 9-1-1 calls, welfare checks, and traffic collisions. They were also handling several investigations that resulted in arrests for incidents of shoplifting, battery, public intoxication, resisting arrest and driving under the influence. There were no reported injuries to any PPD staff nor damage to City property.
Overall, illegal firework activity for the entire day on July 4th decreased from last year by 34%, but the portion of illegal firework activity experienced in the nighttime hours increased by 9%, as indicated in the call volume table above. Total calls for service throughout the entire day on July 4th increased by 8%.
Officers dealing with fireworks violators report the usual attitude of “It’s just fireworks, we do it every year.” Pre-July 4th social media activity reflected frustration from community members regarding illegal fireworks usage, while many postings echoed the same attitude heard on the evening of July 4th from violators.
Costs
Safe and Sane Fireworks sales were robust this year, with the City’s 8% safety fee drawing $42,484. City expenditures for July 4th were largely driven by public safety personnel costs due to increased staffing needed by the Pacifica Police Department and North County Fire Authority.
Police Department expenditures were lower than previous years because more officers were on regular duty (normal Tuesday scheduling) instead of overtime duty. Public Works expenditures were higher than recent years with the reintroduction, and expansion, of the Frontierland Park celebration event. North County Fire Authority expenditures were higher due to increased overtime.
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Police $12,054 $17,515 $17,663 $15,438 $12,070
Fire $14,441 $15,901 $15,995 $15,314 $18,615
Public Works $6,229 $5,761 $5,665 $5,680 $7,277
Total $32,724 $39,176 $39,323 $36,432 $37,962
8% Fee $33,118 $41,676 $39,305 $41,211 $42,484
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September 11, 2023
North County Fire Authority
The North County Fire Authority response to July 4th festivities included proactive community outreach, as well as augmented staffing on July 4th. During community outreach, special emphasis was placed on warning the public of the dangers associated with the use of fireworks.
The public was encouraged to attend professional fireworks displays and refrain from using illegal fireworks.
The following is a list of public education and community outreach activities:
• Provided residence and local news outlets information through social media on the potential dangers of fireworks.
• Fire companies, chief officers and fire prevention personnel interacted with the public, discussing fire safety and the penalties associated with the use of illegal fireworks. • Posted safety information regarding Fourth of July on NCFA website and through social media.
• Interacted with the public on fireworks and fire safety topics and advised where on beaches fireworks were allowed and not allowed in City of Pacifica. • Reviewed and approved permits for all fireworks stands (City of Pacifica). • Conducted safety and fire code compliance inspections of each firework stand permitted within the City of Pacifica.
• Provided fireworks safety information to the public.
On July 4th, the North County Fire Authority augmented staffing in Pacifica by adding (2) additional fire companies and select overhead personnel to prepare for the potential of additional emergency incidents associated with the use of illegal and legal fireworks.
In Pacifica between 8 am on July 4th and 8 am on July 5th, the North County Fire Authority responded to four miscellaneous fires related to fireworks. There were no structure fires or injuries reported.
Parks, Beaches and Recreation
The Parks, Beaches and Recreation Department held the annual Rocket Run, a five-mile race that occurs at 9 am. Also, of note the annual July 4th celebration was held at Frontierland Park.
This family-oriented event offered food, crafts, games and other events to celebrate the holiday.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION:
The council could decide to not accept this Report and give alternate direction.
RELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND WORK PLAN:
The collaborative effort to address July 4th related issues and events is intended to contribute to the City Council Goal of Maintaining a Safe Community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact in accepting this report. The fiscal impact regarding July 4th activities expenditures is outlined in the report.
ORIGINATED BY:
Police
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September 11, 2023
ATTACHMENT LIST: