AFTER ACTION REPORT
August 9, 2022
1 City of Salinas
Fireworks Enforcement
Operations
After Action Report Overview
This report is a compilation of information from the different departments and staff who participated in the enforcement operations and public outreach campaigns. The information was gathered by the Salinas Fire Department (SFD), the Salinas Police Department (SPD), Salinas Public Works Department (SPW), and the Monterey County Emergency Communications Department (ECD).
The issues addressed in this AAR are requested to be reviewed and thoroughly examined for the appropriation of needed resources to ensure the functions of incident response, stabilization and enforcement are safe, efficient and effective.
2 Outreach & Education
• Multi-media campaign from June 1st to July
15th,increased involvement from residents
in the reporting use of illegal fireworks
• Large signs placed at key intersections and
within neighborhoods throughout the city.
• Social media posts, print press, and
television news stories.
3 4
Revenue Statistics
5 Statistical Information:
Duration: June 1st – July 15th, 2021
Funding Sources 2021 2022
“Safe & Sane” retail fireworks booth application fees: $7,508 $6,905 “Safe & Sane” fireworks retail sales surcharges (7% of gross): $74,405 $76,595 Illegal fireworks Administrative Citations collected: $24,050 $70,170 Total Estimated Revenue $105,963 $153,670
Charitable Organizations Statistics
6 Fire Department Operation & Statistics
During this period in 2022, SFD responded to a total of 2,330 emergency incidents.
A breakdown of the fire incidents with previous years’ data is provided as follows:
2021 2022
Structure Fires: 55 56
Vegetation Fires: 40 40
Misc. Fires (Dumpsters, etc.): 48 38
7 Police Department Operations
This year’s fireworks enforcement were conducted on July 4th only. A total of six officers, one Community Service Officer and one Sergeant were assigned between 1600 hrs. and 0100 hrs. All SPD personnel were ordered in on July 4th.
SPD Calls for Service 7/4/22 1700-0100
• Number of calls received by County Communications 264 • Number of calls Fireworks Enforcement officers responded to 48 • 5-02.19 SCC Administrative Reports generated 32
• Fireworks confiscated None
8 Illegal Fireworks Reports
Reports to 911 Dispatch Center, Q-Alert Salinas Connect and Fireworks Website/Tip Line = 1000+
• There was a decrease in fireworks use activity this year. • Staff attributes this to be mostly due to several factors Holiday was on a Monday
Increased costs- fireworks and fuel
Public receiving our outreach message.
• As evidenced by the significant increase in Safe-n-Sane sales, it was apparent that residents were eager to celebrate this holiday after months of pandemic- related lockdowns and restrictions.
9 Observe and Document
• Police and Fire deployed officers in
marked units and undercover.
• Prevention and Code Enforcement
Divisions assisted with observation and
documentation.
• Citizen participation in reporting illegal
fireworks decreased. Factors include
inflation and holiday falling on Monday.
10 Illegal Fireworks Statistics
• The total number of Administrative Citation 131.
• Administrative fines remained unchanged from the
previous year at $1,250.
• Largest single citation was $12,500.
• Total citations issued $294,750
11 Education & Enforcement Expenses
2021 2022
Fire Department Overtime: $7,340 $14,645
Police Department Overtime: $7,922 $10,129
Code Enforcement Overtime: $1,346 $752
Public Works Overtime: $918 $918
MoCo 911 Overtime: N/A – Limited Staff N/A – Limited Staff Outside Services: $19,999 $17,850
Vehicle Rental: $1,142 $1,478
Sign Printing: $1,353 N/A
Total Expenses: $40,110 $45,772
12 Recommendations
• Work with community groups to establish a community-based organized fireworks display to discourage “at-home” use of illegal fireworks. • Consider a “reward” system for tips leading to successful citation of individuals and property owners where illegal fireworks are used. Rewards could be funded with successfully collected fines.
• Increase publicity of undercover activity and citation statistics in traditional and social media.
• Work with SPD to utilize Drone Teams on future July 4th Holidays • Increase fines related to fireworks violations as deterrent. • Continue attempts to engage neighborhood groups and citizens in “observe and report” roles and the distribution of signage.
13 Conclusion and Next Steps
The goal of these programs continues to focus on changing social consciousness at the individual and neighborhood level. It should be acknowledged that this is an ongoing process over several years.
Future years’ plans will build on these successes and the Council Fireworks Subcommittee and City staff will remain engaged with constituents to discuss and implement recommendations to bring about a social change and improve the quality of life for the residents of Salinas.
14 Questions?
15