CITY OF PACIFICA
COUNCIL AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
10/13/2025
1 SUBJECT:
2025 July 4th Activities Report
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Accept the staff report on the 2025 July 4th activities.
STAFF CONTACT:
Bill Glasgo, Police Captain
650-738-7314
[email protected]
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
The Fourth of July holiday continues to draw both residents and visitors to Pacifica for community events and coastal recreation. In addition to hosting celebrations and managing “Safe and Sane” fireworks, City departments play a critical role in ensuring public safety, maintaining clean beaches and facilities, and coordinating activities. This report summarizes the multi-departmental efforts undertaken for the 2025 holiday.
Illegal Firework Prevention
Illegal fireworks remain a longstanding issue in Pacifica and throughout California, posing risks to public safety, property, and the environment. In response, the Pacifica Police Department continued its proactive and preventative measures well in advance of the July 4th holiday.
These strategies were designed to raise public awareness, deter illegal activity, and reduce the overall volume of fireworks-related incidents. In the weeks leading up to the holiday, the department launched a comprehensive education campaign, which included:
· Erecting a lighted message board on State Route 1 reminding drivers and residents that illegal fireworks are prohibited and violators are subject to a $1,000 fine · Distributing educational posters citywide promoting the Illegal Fireworks Social Host Ordinance under the theme “Host a Show, Pay the Dough”
· Coordinating a targeted social media outreach initiative via the City’s and Police Department’s platforms, along with coverage in the Connect with Pacifica weekly newsletter
· Sharing anti-litter messaging with local businesses to encourage responsible behavior during the holiday and throughout the year
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October 13, 2025
Call Volume and Incident Types
The Pacifica Police Department experienced a high volume of activity on July 4th, consistent with historical trends. Compared to 2024, total calls for service on July 4th decreased by 5% in 2025. Fireworks-related calls saw an even more significant decline - down 24% over the full reporting period. During peak hours (7:00 PM on July 4th through 2:00 AM on July 5th), fireworks-related calls dropped by 13%, and total calls for service decreased slightly by 1.5%.
This peak period consistently represents the busiest window for police activity, with the highest staffing levels and the most concentrated fireworks enforcement efforts.
The table below provides a breakdown of total calls for service and fireworks-related calls, both for the full holiday period (July 4th through 2:00 AM on July 5th) and for the peak hours mentioned above:
Category Time Period 2024 2025 Change
Total Calls for Service July 4 (All Day) - July 5 (2:00 AM) 229 218 ↓ 5% July 4 (7:00 PM) - July 5 (2:00 AM) 133 131 ↓ 1.5%
Fireworks Calls Only July 4 (All Day) - July 5 (2:00 AM) 93 71 ↓ 24% July 4 (7:00 PM) - July 5 (2:00 AM) 75 65 ↓ 13%
The data reflect a measurable improvement in public safety metrics for the July 4th holiday in 2025. The 5% reduction in total calls for service and the 24% decrease in fireworks-related calls over the full reporting period indicate positive trends in both community compliance and the effectiveness of public safety planning. The decline in peak-period activity suggests that sustained outreach, enforcement visibility, and operational preparedness are contributing factors. Continued evaluation of deployment strategies, use of UAS/drone technology, and community engagement efforts will support further improvement in future years.
In addition to fireworks-related enforcement, officers responded to a wide range of service calls, including 9-1-1 emergencies, welfare checks, traffic collisions, and domestic disturbances.
Officers also conducted investigations and made arrests involving driving under the influence, restraining order violations, and drug offenses.
Multiple firework-related trash fires were reported on the beach and in parking lots. Officers successfully extinguished all observed fires using water extinguishers. There were no reports of damage to City property, and no law enforcement personnel were injured during the holiday operations.
Officers also provided support at City-sponsored events, including the Annual Rocket Run 5- mile race and the Fourth of July celebration at Frontierland Park.
Enforcement and Citations
Officers issued a total of 14 administrative citations for the possession or use of illegal fireworks, each carrying a $1,000 fine, as well as 1 citation under the City’s Social Host Ordinance, also carrying a $1,000 fine. By comparison, in 2024, officers issued 10 administrative citations total.
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October 13, 2025
All individuals cited this year were adults, except for one juvenile. Of those cited, five individuals were Pacifica residents.
Staffing and Operational Support
To meet public safety needs, 27 Pacifica police officers were deployed on July 4. They were supported by four professional staff members (two from the Records Unit and two from the Property Unit). In addition, one police dispatcher from the South San Francisco Police Department was assigned to assist with the increased call volume and the coordination of field personnel.
Despite these efforts, field staffing was lower than previous years due to four vacant police officer positions and five officers out on extended leave. Supplemental staffing was provided by three reserve police officers and five officers from Burlingame PD, Brisbane PD, and Broadmoor PD.
The Pacifica Police Department was approved to purchase and deploy Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS/drones) in October 2024. However, the United States Customs and Border Protection Agency would not allow the drones to be imported from China to the United States due to concerns over labor practices. The City’s vendor, Axon, facilitated the purchase of new drones from Skydio, an American manufacturer based in San Mateo. Delivery is expected in early 2026. The department plans to utilize UAS technology as a tool to enhance our public safety response in accordance with department policy for the 2026 July 4th holiday.
Costs and Revenue
City expenditures for July 4th encompassed personnel and overtime costs due to increased staffing needed by the Pacifica Police Department, North County Fire Authority, and Public Works. Police Department expenditures were lower this year because of low staffing, and personnel reduction from allied agencies. Public Works expenditures were slightly lower than last year and North County Fire Authority expenditures increased from the previous year.
Safe and Sane Fireworks sales remained strong. In 2025, the 7% City safety fee generated $36,002. Due to AB 1403 (effective January 1, 2024), cities may now only collect up to 7% in gross sales tax (previously 8%).
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October 13, 2025
Revenue from Fireworks Sales Fees:
Year Fee% Revenue
2021 8% $39,305
2022 8% $41,211
2023 8% $42,484
2024 7% $37,464
2025 7% $36,002
Departmental Expenditures (2021-2025):
Year Police Fire Public Works Total
2021 $17,663 $15,995 $5,665 $39,323
2022 $15,438 $15,314 $5,680 $36,432
2023 $12,070 $18,615 $7,277 $37,962
2024 $18,964 $15,051 $11,740 $45,755
2025 $15,040 $17,154 $10,552 $42,746
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:
· Social media campaigns about firework dangers
· Public engagement on fire safety and enforcement
· Inspections of all fireworks stands
· Beach safety advisories
· Website updates with holiday safety information
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 7 miscellaneous fireworks-related fires.
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Parks, Beaches and Recreation
The Parks, Beaches and Recreation Department held the annual morning Rocket Run and hosted a family-friendly event at Frontierland Park featuring food, crafts, games and music.
Safe and Sane Firework Permits
Eleven (11) non-profit groups were granted permits to sell Safe and Sane Fireworks in 2025.
These organizations attended a pre-sales orientation hosted by the Police Department and North County Fire Authority. All fireworks booths were inspected by a Fire Inspector prior to opening. Fireworks sales went well this year without any problems reported to police or fire departments.
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 ten (10) hours on July 5th, then are required to provide at least ten (10) additional hours of clean-up on a designated Saturday in July and August.
The below table indicates the number of hours of clean-up worked by each group. The total hours worked this year was 401 hours.
Group Hours (20 required)
American Legion 35.5
Pacifica Moose Lodge 28.5
Pacifica Girls Softball 31.5
San Francisco Archers-SFA 58
Pacifica United Soccer Club 26
Pacifica Seadogs Baseball 20
Terra Nova High Boosters Club 24
Terra Nova High School Football 26
Ingrid B Lacy/Oceana 33
Pacifica Youth in Action 54
Passion for Sports 22
ALTERNATIVE ACTION:
The City Council may choose not to accept this report and provide alternate direction.
RELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND WORK PLAN:
The collaborative effort to address July 4th related issues and events is aligned with the City of Pacifica Strategic Plan Goal #5: Broaden public communications and collaboration.
FISCAL IMPACT:
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October 13, 2025
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
ATTACHMENT LIST: