2023 4th of July illegal fireworks enforcement detail report Visalia Fire Department
Non-profit safe and sane booths
Sales may begin on July 29th.
27 booths placed throughout our community.
Number of approved booths is based on population per ordinance.
Booths are inspected prior to opening and are only allowed to sell Safe and Sane fireworks provided by vendor.
Prevention
Hung approximately 2,000 door hangers throughout our community.
Banners hung at each Fire Station.
41,000 mailers included in utility bills delivered in June.
Social media posts by the Public Safety PIO and Social Media Division.
Posts reached as many as 258,500 total users across Facebook and Instagram.
Reports of illegal fireworks use
7% increase was seen in June, bringing calls up from 66 in 2022 to 71 in 2023. 22% decrease in July dropping calls from 647 in 2022 to 530 in 2023. 20% decrease in calls year to date compared to 2022.
Although some areas remained consistent with years past, most patrol staff in the field advised seeing a drop in use throughout the community.
Call Center
In operation on July 3rd and 4th
10 dedicated call takers (city staff).
Calls into the call center surpassed calls to dispatch for the first time.
Information relayed in real time to patrol units in the field.
Handled 332 calls that would have otherwise been directed to Dispatch.
Dispatch received an additional 330 reports.
Citations issued vs calls received
Enforcement
Citations begin at $2,000 and increase to $4,000 per violation. 63, $2,000 citations issued (first time offenders).
Two, $3,000 citations issued (second time offenders).
Two, $4,000 citations issued (three + time offenders).
Totaling $140,000 in citations issued during patrol period.
Each patrol unit consisted of a Visalia Police Officer and Visalia Fire Department member.
One GIS Analyst in the field during all patrols auditing reporting system
Call map with citation locations
This concludes the 2023 4th of July Illegal Fireworks Enforcement Detail Report. Thank you.