DATE: AUGUST 18, 2026
DEPARTMENT: FIRE & POLICE DEPARTMENT
FROM: CHRISTOPHER KNAPP, DIVISION CHIEF/FIRE MARSHAL
CARLOS ACOSTA, POLICE CHIEF
TITLE: 2026 FIREWORKS ENFORCEMENT AFTER-ACTION REPORT
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Receive and accept the 2026 Fireworks Enforcement After-Action Report presented by the Salinas Fire and Police Departments.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The attached After-Action Report provides a comprehensive overview of the strategies utilized to enforce laws and ordinances regarding illegal fireworks in the City of Salinas. It outlines both the successes achieved and areas for improvement, guiding future enforcement efforts. Additionally, the report presents statistical data on the sale of 'Safe-n-Sane' fireworks and evaluates the effectiveness of our outreach and enforcement initiatives in curbing illegal fireworks use in Salinas.
BACKGROUND:
The use of illegal fireworks continues to frustrate our citizens and burden our limited public safety resources. As this problem is not unique to the City of Salinas, staff continue to work to find ways to help combat the issue and minimize the impact to all.
The overall strategy for the public outreach campaign and enforcement plan was a collaborative effort on behalf of the Salinas Fire Department Prevention Division and other City departments.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. 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). In addition, CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 includes the general rule that CEQA applies only to activities which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Because the proposed action and this matter have no potential to cause any effect on the environment, or because it falls within a category of activities excluded as projects pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378, this matter is not a project. Because the matter does not cause a direct or foreseeable indirect physical change on or in the environment, this matter is not a project. Any subsequent discretionary projects resulting from this action will be assessed for CEQA applicability.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES:
It has been determined that the Government Code §84308/Levine Act does not apply to this.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
Accepting this staff report supports the following Council goals:
• Public Safety
• City Services
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
The City's Fourth of July fireworks enforcement program is a coordinated, citywide effort involving multiple departments before, during, and after the holiday. City Administration, Human Resources, Finance/Information Technology, Community Development, Public Works, the Salinas Police Department, the Salinas Fire Department, Parks and Recreation, the Library, the City Attorney's Office, Public Information Office, and other City departments contribute staff, equipment, technology, logistical support, legal services, and administrative resources to support planning, enforcement operations, citation processing, and post-event reporting.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
Fund
General Ledger Number
(Operating/CIP)
General Ledger Account Name
Remaining Budget Appropriation
Amount Requested
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
ATTACHMENTS:
2026 After-Action Report
2026 After-Action PowerPoint
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