Fireworks may signify the July Fourth celebration more than
anything else but Morgan Hill police want residents to know they
had better restrict their viewing to the official Sunday night
display.
Fireworks may signify the July Fourth celebration more than anything else but Morgan Hill police want residents to know they had better restrict their viewing to the official Sunday night display.
Fireworks of any kind are banned within the city limits, said Police Lt. Joe Sampson except under the control of the professional pyrotechnics crew at the city’s official show. They also are not allowed outside city limits.
“We will be watching,” Sampson said, “and if officers hear about or see someone using fireworks, they will confiscated them and could issue citations.”
The reason is clear enough, he said.
“With the winds at this time of year we are concerned that the fireworks will blow onto someone’s roof and cause a fire,” Sampson said.
Punishment for those unlucky enough to be caught and cited is a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to six months in the County Jail. The citations are misdemeanors.
Another fear is that of lost fingers, hands and eyesight, so common in the past when every city allowed fireworks to be sold and every family had its own show. Firecrackers are especially dangerous and have caused considerable damage in the past.
Fireworks that shoot into the air, move on the ground or explode – such as bottle rockets, Roman candles or cherry bombs – are illegal throughout California.
“We encourage everyone, instead, to enjoy the big display after dark at Community Park,” Sampson said.
Engines and crews from the Santa Clara County Fire Department will be patrolling the neighborhoods, both to keep an eye on things and to be extra ready in case of problems. Staffing will be beefed up at all fire stations in the area.
Gilroy is the only city in Santa Clara County that doesn’t have a total fireworks ban. City-permitted vendors can sell only to Gilroy residents fireworks that the state considers “safe and sane,” such as sparklers, pinwheels and cones, from July 1-4.
The sale is a major money-maker for 16 non-profit groups.
Gilroy police made their first pyrotechnic-related arrest of the Independence Day season last Friday, citing a Morgan Hill man on suspicion of selling illegal fireworks, a misdemeanor.
A witness reportedly told police Derek Monett, 35, tried to sell him illegal fireworks. Police said they found Monett at his workplace on the 6900 block of Monterey Street and cited him after seizing a quantity of illegal fireworks from his vehicle. Monett admitted the fireworks were his but denied trying to sell them, according to police.
Monett is not alone in breaking fireworks laws, Gilroy Fire Marshal Jackie Bretschneider said Monday. The sound of exploding fireworks was heard around town all weekend, a full week before the Fourth of July. If caught, those people could face hundreds or thousands of dollars in fines or even jail time.
“Those are some pretty stiff penalties for something that people just consider one of those minor risks you take in order to have fun,” Bretschneider said.
The official fireworks display at Community Park ends the two-day celebration that begins downtown Saturday night and comes after a July 4th of parades and an afternoon festival with entertainment for the entire family at the park.
To report illegal fireworks, MHPD at 779-2101. To report a fire, call 911. July Fourth schedule: www.mhidi.com. Staff Writer Peter Crowley contributed to this story.
