Those firing off illegal fireworks the first week of July might want to budget $1,000 to pay the piper

The reason is simple.

The odds of them getting caught will increase significantly this year.

After both Manteca elected leaders and police said they were “disappointed” in last year’s issuance of “just” 37 citations for $1,000 fines, law enforcement has regrouped.

They’ve ditched the Nail ‘Em app, aren’t doing courtesy calls to issue citations in person when drones remotely compile video footage and global position data of a confirmed illegal launch, and have added manpower to cover the time  leading up to the Fourth and the days afterwards given it is a three-day weekend.

Sgt. Ian Osborn said police last year made contact at the property clearly snared by police drones to  inform them they would be receiving a citation.

That took between 30 to 40 minutes each time.

Osborn said police weren’t required to do so under state law since tickets confirmed via technology such as red light camera will stand up in court or before an administrative law judge.

Cutting out the courtesy visit to warn that whoever the property owner the illegal fireworks were launched from would be getting a citation in the mail within several weeks — or to issue a ticket in person — is expected to significantly increase those who are cited.

“The owner of the home or property are the ones cited,” Osborn noted under the state-allowed “host” ordinance designed to hold property owners responsible for what they allow.

The Nail ‘Em app has been 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.

The goal behind the citations is for people to not launch illegal fireworks for fear of being hit in the pocketbook.

It should be noted if fireworks are launched on more than one night even without the owner of a specific address not being notified they will be receiving a citation; additional citations can be issued.

With the Fourth following 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 is doing 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