Launch illegal fireworks in the coming days and your odds of finding a $1,000 citation in the mail from the Manteca Police are more than double what they were last Year.

Given Manteca Police snagged 37 law breakers during the 2024 Fourth of July enforcement period that cost property owners a collective $37,000 last year, the financial pain for ignoring the law — and common sense — could soar past $80,000 after the last illegal fireworks burst in air.

For the next three nights, Manteca Police will have:

*Three separate drone teams roaming the skies throughout Manteca.

*Another four enforcement teams will be driving around Manteca.

*Quicker response to citizens’ complaints by switching to the city’s government outreach app instead of relying on the Nail ‘Em app as in the past.

The drones will be the biggest threat to the pocketbooks of lawbreakers.

Last year after drones using high resolution video and global positioning systems to nail the exact property where illegal fireworks were launched, Manteca Police dispatched officers to

advise offending property owners they would be cited.

That’s not going to happen this year.

The data gleaned from drones meets and exceeds the threshold for issuing administrative citations to city property owners under California’s host law.

That means the homeowner — regardless whether they reside at the home in question or rent it — will be cited.

Manteca Police Sgt. Ian Osborn stressed the maximum enforcement is being done to address:

*the real fire danger from aerial fireworks that have embers that can float substantial distances and start fires

*disturbing the peace calls that often continue into 3 a.m. in the morning from the launching of illegal fireworks.

*the effect the illegal fireworks have on dogs and cats.

*serious problems the repetitive blasting noises pose for those with PSTD trauma.

The $1,000 fine was implemented after $500 fines didn’t deter many illegal firework launches.

The City Council jacked it up to make sure people get the message.

It also has been noted that an address can get multiple citations over the enforcement period.

That means is drones confirm illegal fireworks activity for three nights at the same address, the property owner will be fined $3,000.

The Nail ‘Em app was used in the past but the information provided on it was reaching police hours after residents reported it.

That’s because it went through a third party.

It did allow the city to be on the lookout for illegal launches either the following night or the following year from specific addresses.

Instead, the city will use the Go Manteca app that will be monitored by city personnel in real time.

That means within minutes, if all of the illegal fireworks enforcement teams aren’t tied up elsewhere, police could respond.

And given since most who launch illegal fireworks don’t simply do one and they are done, it will  greatly increase the odds of the city being alerted by app of illegal pyrotechnic activities that a $1,000 citation will end up being issued.

With the Fourth fallinging on a Friday, police and fire staffing will be stepped up over the three-day weekend and not just on Independence Day.

The city also has conducted an advertising blitz reminding people not to fire off illegal fireworks and the $1,000 fine that awaits if they are caught.

Flyers were sent out in this month’s utility bills in addition to 4-foot, by 8-foot signs posted around Manteca.

That is in additional to social media advisories.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyattmantecabulletin.com