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CITY OF SALINAS
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: April 23, 2024
DEPARTMENT: SALINAS POLICE DEPARTMENT AND SALINAS FIRE
DEPARTMENT
FROM: JOHN MURRAY, ACTING CHIEF OF POLICE
SAMUEL KLEMEK, FIRE CHIEF
TITLE: SALINAS POLICE AND FIRE 2024 FIREWORKS
ENFORCEMENT PLAN
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
No motion is required with this item.
RECOMMENDATION:
No action is required for this item, so no recommendation is being made. This Report is provided for informational purposes only as required by the Salinas Municipal Code Sec. 5-02.22.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Measure C, an initiative measure approved by the voters of Salinas in June 2016, allows for the sale and use of “Safe and Sane” fireworks within the city. One component of the measure requires the Salinas Fire Department and the Salinas Police Department to present a plan outlining public education and enforcement efforts to address illegal fireworks use during the Fourth of July holiday. The plan is multifaceted and includes education, enforcement, and response elements.
BACKGROUND:
As most fireworks vi olations are considered misdemeanors under the law, it is a challenge to prosecute offenders under the rules of evidence and proof without eyewitness corroboration. To that end, our enforcement efforts will again focus on public involvement, education, and the city’s administrative citation process aid in making the sale and use of illegal fireworks “socially unacceptable”.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378) Page | 2
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
The objectives of the SPD and SFD’s plan for the Fourth of July are to support the goals of the City Council and;
1. Mitigate hazards and protect life to ensure a safe, livable community.
2. Protect property to promote economic diversity and prosperity.
3. Utilize a practical enforcement model to support an effective, sustainable government.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
Costs to cover the 2024 emergency response and enforcement efforts for illegal fireworks will be paid through the 7% surcharge recovered from the sale of Safe-n-Sane fireworks and illegal fireworks citation revenue.
ATTACHMENTS:
Enforcement Plan