Citations costing $1,000 each will soon be in the mail to 99 people who ignored Manteca’s intensive campaign on social media, utility bills, portable electronic messaging signs placed on major arterials, and traditional signage warning of the consequences of illegal fireworks use.

The saturated enforcement between July 2 and July 5 also including a criminal citation involving illegal fireworks.

Manteca Police also seized a large amount of illegal fireworks from numerous individuals before they were launched.

“I firmly believe due to previous enforcement a lot less people were using illegal fireworks this year,” said Manteca Police Sgt. Steve Beermann.

A spot check with various residents throughout Manteca backs up Beermann’s observation although two people pointed out they still lived by some who didn’t get the message.

There were 109 reports of illegal fireworks submitted via the government outreach app that was monitored in real time

That was down from 429 last year for a decrease of 74 percent.

Last year, police issued 109 citations with $130,257 in fines assessed.

There were no homes damaged this year by the use of fireworks.

That said, fireworks on the Fourth of July were responsible for a vehicle fire, six vegetation fires, two outdoor fires (fences, sheds, and such), and one dumpster fire.

There were 32 fire calls on July 3, 47 on July 4, and 37 on July 5.

The 47 fire calls on the Fourth of July was 51 percent higher than an average day.

Beermann noted police dispatchers handled 449 calls on July 4.

“Dispatchers handled the extra call volume professionally and effectively,” Beerman said.

That include 81 on July 4 between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m.

The 99 administrative citations are being issued thanks to drone teams and dedicated on-ground enforcement patrols.

The fines are assessed against the owner of property that GPS technology is used to pinpoint the exact launch site.

Because they are an administrative fines, if they are not paid the city has the legal authority to place liens against the property in question.

The fine imposed by lien is either paid with the tax bill or when the property is sold. In a worst case scenario, unpaid property liens after five years can force a sale to make the jurisdiction issuing the lien whole.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com