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City of Salinas
Fireworks
Enforcement
Operations –
After Action
Report
August 8
2023
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CONTENTS
EXPLANATION OF TERMS ........................................................................................................ 3 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 4 AFTER ACTION REPORT OVERVIEW ..................................................................................... 5 STRENGTHS……………………………………………………………………………………14
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT…………………………………………………………………..14
RECOMMENDATIONS………………………………………………………………………...15
CONCLUSION AND NEXT STEPS……………………………………………………………15
IMPROVEMENT PLANNING MATRIX………………………………………………………16
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EXPLANATION OF TERMS
Examples:
AAR After Action Report
CAD Computer Aided Dispatch
COS City of Salinas
EOC Emergency Operations Center
SFD Salinas Fire Department
SPD Salinas Police Department
SCE Salinas Code Enforcement
SPW Salinas Public Works
OCA Office of the City Attorney
ECD Emergency Communications Department
IAP Incident Action Plan
IC Incident Command
ICP Incident Command Post
ICS Incident Command System
NGEN Next Generation Emergency Network
RP Reporting Party
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INTRODUCTION
This report summarizes the various strategies used to enforce current laws and ordinances respective of illegal fireworks in the City of Salinas and will serve to highlight the relative successes and areas for improvement for future operations.
Focus:
Prevention / public outreach
Enforcement of illegal activity
Incident Response / mitigation
Classification:
Unclassified
For Official Use Only (FOUO)
By Invitation Only
Operation, Activity or Scenario:
Fire
Law Enforcement Action
Severe Weather
Hazardous Material Release
Bomb Threat
Medical Emergency
Evacuation
Lockdown
Special Event
Exercise/Drill
Other
Statistical information for this report was collected from CAD records, and the various reporting platforms for the period of June 1, 2023 through July 15, 2023. 5 | Page
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), Salinas Code Enforcement D epartment, the Salinas Police Department (SPD ), Salinas Public Works Department (SPW), Monterey County Emergency Communications Department (ECD), Mag One Media Group, and other City staff.
The overall strategy for the public outreach campaign and enforcement plan was a co llaborative effort on behalf of the SFD Prevention Division and other City departments, in collaboration with the City Council Fireworks Sub-Committee.
The recommendations in this AAR should be viewed with considerable attention to the needs for a safe and livable community. In some cases, departments may determine that the benefits of implementation are insufficient to outweigh cost or pose a considerable safety risk for staff or the public. In other cases, departments may identify alternative solutions that are more effective.
However, each department should review the recommendations and determine the most appropriate action and time needed for implementation.
The issues addressed in this AAR should 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.
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Operational Overview:
Starting on June 1st, a multi-media campaign was launched to increase involvement from residents in the reporting of illegal fireworks use. Building on the positive outcome realized in 2018 and 2019, large signs were again placed at key intersections throughout the city promoting the various methods of reporting illegal fireworks use. This was further publicized in a broad social media campaign, print press, and broadcast news outlets. A detailed statistical analysis is attached.
This campaign proved ongoing success in routing complaints received t hrough the www.salinasfireworks.com website, the “Salinas Connect” application, as well as the voicemail and text tip line.
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Based on the lessons learned from the previous fireworks seasons in 20 20, 2021, and 2022, undercover patrols , along with marked vehicles, were deployed on the holiday to corroborate citizen tips from the Salinas Connect app, salinasfireworks.com website, voicemail, and text reports.
All members of the 2023 Fireworks Enforcement Task Force coordinated with one another via telecommunication related means, resources patrolled areas where increased activity was evident and collected evidence to support the issuance of administrative citations after the fact.
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Citizen participation in reporting illegal fireworks slightly increased as compared to last year. This increase can be attributed to multiple factors including success of our campaign, inflation across many sectors like fuel and fireworks, and the holiday falling on a Monday. The “Salinas Connect” application served as the primary repository for all illegal fireworks reports and residents could upload pictures and video evidence to support the reports. Home surveillance systems captured several instances of illegal activity.
ADMINISTRATIVE CITATIONS
For the period of June 1st through July 15th, the total number of Administrative Citations referred to the Office of City Attorney was 110.
Administrative fines remained unchanged from the previous year at $1,250 for the “Use, Possession, or Sale of Illegal Fireworks” and $250 for the “Noise Violation” totaling a minimum citation of $1,500.
In some cases, multiple fines were assessed where illegal activity was documented over several days. The highest single citation amount was $37,500.
Disputed citations are managed and heard in accordance with the City of Salinas Municipal Code.
The Fire Prevention Division coordinates the Administrative Hearing process with the necessary parties.
Statistical Information:
Duration:
June 1st – July 15th, 2023
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Funding Sources 2022 2023 “Safe & Sane” retail fireworks booth application fees: $6,905 $6,761* “Safe & Sane” fireworks retail sales surcharges (7% of gross): $76,595 $71,400* Illegal fireworks fines collected through Administrative Citations: $70,170 $55,517 Total Estimated Revenue $153,670 $134,430
*- Information as provided by wholesalers TNT and Phantom Fireworks.
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Enforcement and Education Expenses
2022 2023
Fire Department Overtime: $14,645 $6,114
Police Department Overtime: $10,129 $0.00
Code Enforcement Overtime: $752 $788
Public Works Overtime: $918 $2,964
MoCo 911 Overtime: N/A – Limited Staff N/A – Limited Staff Outside Services: $17,850 $8,720
Vehicle Rental: $1,478 $1,153
Sign Printing: N/A $3,500
Movie Theater Ads N/A N/A
Video Equipment N/A N/A
__________________________________________________________ Total Expenses: $45,772 $23,239
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FIREWORKS SALES AND SURCHARGE
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Salinas Fire Department Operations
During this period in 2023, SFD responded to nearly 2,127 emergency incidents. A breakdown of the fire incidents with previous years’ data is provided as follows:
2022 2023
Structure Fires: 56 15
Vegetation Fires: 40 62
Misc. Fires (Dumpsters, etc.): 38 18
Total: 134 95
For the 4th of July holiday period, SFD’s staffing consisted of 2 members of Fire Administration, 5 members of Fire Prevention, a couple of firefighters for the newly formed SFD Drone Team, 1 Chief Officer to supervise the crew , and additional city staff to respond t o increased calls for service and patrol the target threat areas.
The Salinas Police Department this year due to staffing did not participate in fireworks enforcement outside of normally assigned daily staff.
Code Enforcement added three additional members to observe and report.
Salinas Fire responded to numerous calls for service on 4 th of July. SFD was dispatched to more than five vegetation fires, sent resources to Gonzales on a mutual aid request for a structure fire, and assisted with a firework related call in the Bolsa Knolls area.
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STRENGTHS
Adequate funding from existing fees, surcharges, and fines. Participation from the Code Enforcement Division and Public Works Departments alleviated the excessive burden of limited SFD and SPD resources. Comprehensive media coverage including ad campaigns on all platforms such as television, radio, social media, and signs.
Citizen-based tips from the “neighborhood approach” using Salinas Connect and fireworks hotline.
Undercover operations to “observe and report” led to Administrative Citations with better evidentiary support.
Integration of the Salinas Connect reporting platform provided detailed information for follow-up.
Additional signage was placed at high visibility areas and intersections of the city. Advance warnings sent to addresses where illegal fireworks were reported last year helped to deter activity in certain areas.
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT
Participation from organized neighborhood and citizens’ groups was solicited with little to no response or action.
Limited staff was physically available for patrols.
Collection and sorting of data from various sources of intelligence remains a manual process and is labor intensive.
Manual review of video evidence is also time consuming and delays issuance of Administrative Citations.
Sharing of text and voi ce tips to salinasfireworks.com will improve with assistance from IT.
More real time integration between tips and enforcement, starting in June.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
Continue attempts to engage neighborhood groups and citizens in “observe and report” roles and the distribution of signage.
Increase publicity of undercover activity and citation statistics in traditional and social media.
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.
Work with community groups to establish a community-based organized fireworks display to discourage “at-home” use of illegal fireworks.
Increase utilization of Drone Teams (SPD and SFD) on future July 4th Holidays.
CONCLUSION AND NEXT STEPS
Continued collaborative efforts in this years’ campaign proved to be a positive influence toward curbing illegal fireworks use in the City of Salinas. 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 but marked decreases in activity were noted this year.
The improvement in the quality of citizen reports is a positive indicator of the success of these efforts. The increase in citations with actionable evidence is another product of better collaboration between City departments in a coordinated fashion.
Future years’ plans will build on thes e 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.
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IMPROVEMENT PLANNING MATRIX
IMPROVEMENT PLANNING MATRIX
Area of Improvement Improvement
Action
Responsible
Party/Areas
Targeted
Completion
Date
Status
1) Neighborhood
Involvement
Solicit more
participation in
outreach and
volunteer patrol
Council/Community
Safety Div.
4/2022 Ongoing
2) Limited Patrol
Staffing
Increase staffing
where possible
SFD/SPD/SCED 7/2022 Ongoing
3) Integration
with “Salinas
Connect”
Further refine
automated
responses and
reports
Administration
Div./SFD
Prevention Div.
5/2019 100%
complete
4) Data
Collection and
Sorting
Staff
collaboration to
merge data
sources
Administrative
Div./SFD
Prevention
6/2019 100%
complete
Multi-Unit
Dwelling
Enforcement
Identify better
methods for
citations of
individuals
SFD/City Attorney/
SPD/SCE/ Council
FW Subcommittee
1/2022 Ongoing
5) Limited
Administrative
Support
Identify existing
staff resources to
assist
SFD/Administrative
Div./FW Sub-
Committee/ SCE/
City Attorney
10/2022 In-process