Manteca’s leaders may jack up illegal fireworks fines to $2,500 as well as reduce the number of legal fireworks stands allowed within the city limits.
And that could include the outright banning of legal fireworks sales and use although that appears to be a longshot at best.
It’s all part a holistic look at fireworks issues advocated by Councilman Charlie Halford.
The rest of the council on Tuesday agreed that in the coming months, elected leaders need to examine all issues having to do with legal and illegal fireworks within Manteca’s city limits to see what they can do better.
If it occurs, it will be the first time the council has looked at the pluses and minuses of all aspects of fireworks sales as well their use since 2005.
That is when then council member Vince Hernandez successfully led a charge to allow safe and sane fireworks to be sold and used within the city limits.
Cities such as Ceres that have imposed fines up to the maximum $2,500 allowed by the state, have seen a significant drop off in illegal fireworks.
Manteca this year issued 30 citations that carry $1,000 fines and the ability to tack on up to $500 in administrative costs related to enforcement. That would mean a bottom line hit of $1,500 for each individual issued a citation based on observations made by Manteca police and firefighters.
The proceeds from the fines may be used to purchase a drone with enhanced video capabilities
Seven of the 30 citations issued were with the help of an existing done the department uses.
Based on the amount of citations per manhours invested, an additional drone could see a spike in the number of culprits nailed.
That, coupled with a potential $2,500 fine, would send a message to those that think they might want to try and shoot off illegal fireworks to think again.
Halford noted that when Manteca started legal fireworks sales back in 2005, nearby cities were not allowing their sale.
As a result, non-profits did much better than they are doing now during the week-long sales.
Add to that increased wholesale and insurance costs as well as paying property owners for the privilege of hosting the booth as well as costs related to renting on-site storage have cut into what non-profits earn while the receipts of the two major vendors of legal fireworks in California —TNT and Phantom — have soared.
By reducing the number of booths, it would make it more profitable for local organizations that manage to secure the right to sell legal fireworks during the city’s annual lottery.
Toi contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
