The use of illegal fireworks in Manteca this year could carry an even stiffer financial penalty.
The Manteca City Council on Tuesday will consider increasing the fine for the first offense from the current $750 to $1,000.
Each subsequent valuation will remain the same at $1,000 per citation.
Twenty-three people were cited last year for firing off illegal fireworks between June 28 and July 4.
Besides paying a $750 fine they were also assessed the costs Manteca incurred for issuing them — and processing — the administrative citation.
Those extra costs can still be legally tagged on to what violators have to pay after the fine is increased to $1,000 — the legal limit the state allows cities to impose for the use of illegal fireworks.
The ordinance changes before the council when they meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Civic Center, 1001 W. Center St., that was part of directions regarding illegal fireworks that elected officials gave city staff in November.
Council members also said they favored the number of drones used in the enforcement process being tripled.
The July 4th enforcement period in recent years has been extended from 2 to 3 days to 5 to 7 days.
The city last year in the seven-day period leading up to and including the Fourth of July, received 144 callsf or service regarding fireworks overall.
The use of illegal fireworks start earlier than in years past resulting in an increased burden on staff and resources. The number of complaints received via the “Nail ‘em” app has also increased yearly.
Manteca Police last year made 99 education contacts — basically those they suspected of launching illegal fireworks but officers were unable to get physical evidence with drone or ground video.
There were 363 reports of illegal fireworks sent to the police through the Nail’ Em app along with 36 calls regarding illegal fireworks.
The proposed ordinance amendment further specifies what locations are prohibited for the discharge of fireworks, such as public streets, sidewalks, a right-of-way, parking lots, and shopping centers.
Safe and sane fireworks may be discharged on private property and residential streets.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
