City of Salinas Fireworks EnforcementAfter-Action Report 08/18/2026
Presented by Salinas Fire and Police Department
Outreach & Education
Multi-media campaign from June 1st to July 12th, increased involvement from residents in the reporting of illegal fireworks usage Large signs placed at key intersections and within neighborhoods throughout the city.
Social media posts, print press, radio and television news stories.
Revenue Statistics
Statistical Information:
Duration: June 1st – July 12th, 2026
Funding Sources:
2025
2026
% Change
“Safe & Sane” retail fireworks booth application fees:
$8,226
$8,457.80
2.82%
“Safe & Sane” fireworks retail sales surcharges (7% of gross):
$52, 631
$60,267
14.51%
Illegal fireworks Administrative Citations collected:
$82,500
$109,714.32
32.99%
Total Estimated Revenue
$143,357
$178,439.12
24.47%
Charitable organization statistics
2026 Fireworks Revenue Collected: 10,545.20
2025 Fireworks Revenue Collected: $9,880.94
Group Name (3)
Net Sales
Retail Sales
7% Surcharge
Family and Faith Ministries of California
$30,515.84
$61,031.68
$4,272.22
LULAC Salinas Council #2055
$17,796.71
$35,593.42
$2,491.54
Mount Toro Parent Booster Club
$27,010.34
$54,020.68
$3,781.45
TOTALS
$75,322.89
$150,645.78
$10,545.20
$664.26 difference
6.72% increase
Charitable organization statistics cont.
2026 Fireworks Revenue Collected: $49,721.79
2025 Fireworks Revenue Collected: $42,749.97
$6,971.82 difference
16.31% increase
Group Name (15)
Net Sales
Retail Sales
7% Surcharge
Alisal High School Booster Club
$26,258.05
$52,516.10
$3,676.13
Everett Alvarez HS Athletic Boosters
$32,274.73
$64,549.46
$4,518.46
Loma Vista School
$16,709.09
$33,418.18
$2,339.27
Los Padres School
$11,789.85
$23,579.70
$1,650.58
Victory Outreach
$9,971.83
$19,943.66
$1,396.06
Sherwood Elementary School
$13,601.19
$27,202.38
$1,904.17
Salinas Salad Bowl Bobby Sox
$26,193.63
$52,387.26
$3,667.11
Salinas HS Athletic Booster Club
$24,991.30
$49,982.60
$3,498.78
North Salinas HS Athletic Booster Club
$33,166.48
$66,332.96
$4,643.31
Palma High School
$40,787.51
$81,575.02
$5,710.25
Rancho San Juan HS Trailblazer Booster Club
$25,301.83
$50,603.66
$3,542.26
Sacred Heart School
$25,773.00
$51,546.00
$3,608.22
Salinas City STEAM Academy
$24,517.39
$49,034.78
$3,432.43
Salinas American Little League
$29,095.56
$58,191.12
$4,073.38
831 PawdyGuard Rescue
$14,724.23
$29,448.46
$2,061.39
TOTALS
$355,155.67
$710,311.34
$49,721.79
Fire Department Operation & Statistics
June 1st, 2026 through July 4th, SFD responded to a total of 1,664 emergency incidents. A breakdown of the fire incidents with previous years’ data is provided as follows:
2024
2025
2026
Structure Fires:
13 6
10 Vegetation Fires:
61 48
30 Misc. Fire (Dumpsters, etc.):
60 58
84 Totals:
134
112
124
ILLEGAL FIREWORKS REPORTS
Reports to 911 Dispatch Center, Q-Alert/Salinas Connect and Fireworks Website/Tip Line = 513 Reports received in 2025: 559
Illegal fireworks activity decreased slightly compared to last year.
Staff attributes this to the following factors:
Additional resources and technology
Increased costs - fireworks
Public receiving our outreach message
4th of July celebration at the Sports Complex
Over 1,000 Fireworks Prohibited Notices
207
158
148
Through social media monitoring, 12 potential illegal fireworks sales leads and referred them to the Salinas Police Department for further investigation.
A special thank you and shout-out to the community members who turned in illegal fireworks!
Observe and document
FIREWORKS ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCE
Public Safety Staff
Fire Prevention (6)
SFD Drone Pilots (10)
Salinas Police (8)
Other City Staff
Community Development (8)
City Clerk’s Office (1)
Info Systems (1)
Human Resources (1)
Public Works (1)
TOTAL: 36 MEMBERS
Observe and document CONT.
5 Marked Vehicles (SFD and Code Enforcement)
Show a presence to the community
Evidence collection
4 Unmarked VSTF Vehicles
Evidence collection
3 Drones
Monitored Salinas Connect Service Requests
Citizen participation in reporting illegal fireworks slightly decreased compared to last year.
Observe and Document – Drone TeamSFD & SPD Drone Team deployed 4 drones
Drone
Flight Path
Illegal fireworks statistics
The total number of Administrative Citations 80.
Administrative fines remain unchanged from the previous year at $1,250 with a noise violation of $250.
Largest single citation is $12,000.
Issued citations totaling $175,500.
Education & Enforcement Expenses
2025
2026
% Change
Difference
City Staff Overtime:
$17,605.52
$14,531
17.46%
$3,074.52
Drone Equipment:
$0.00
$0.00
0%
$0.00
Video Equipment:
$0.00
$0.00
0%
$0.00
Outside Services:
$15,360
$17,185.73
11.88%
($1,825.73)
Vehicle Rental:
$1,386
NA
100%
$1,386
Sign Printing:
$3,277.50
NA
100%
$3,277.50
Total Expenses:
$37,629.02
$31,716.73
15.71%
$5,912.29
recommendations
Increase utilization of Drone Teams on future July 4th Holidays.
Continue to utilize additional city employees, willing to observe, report and collect evidence.
Increase sharing of regional resources to target illegal fireworks sales.
Increase publicity of undercover activity and citation statistics in traditional and social media.
Continue attempts to engage neighborhood groups and citizens in “observe and report” roles.
CONCLUSION & 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 many years.
Future years’ plans will build on these successes. The 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.
Questions?
THANK YOU!