Manteca’s public safety personnel are teaming up in a bid to keep things as safe and sane as possible in the week leading up to the Fourth of July.

Targeted enforcement teams zeroing in on illegal fireworks — pyrotechnics that travel more than one foot into the air or more than six feet on the ground — in a bid to avoid what could be a disastrous week given the extreme dry conditions throughout Manteca due to the severe drought.

Manteca’s fire marshal and fire building inspector are being teamed up with police officers to look for lawbreakers.

There have been stepped up patrols in the past by police and fire officials. The approach this year combines the expertise fire officials bring to the table in being able to identify illegal fireworks properly as well as police authority together.

In the past when patrols for the fire department have been able to verify illegal fireworks being fired off, they have sometimes been intimidated by angry crowds as was the case one year at Mayor’s Park.

Part of the problem is in order for arrests to lead to successful prosecutions, officers or fire officials have to see illegal fireworks being set off and not just simply know the general area that they were launched.

The biggest problem is the public’s appetite for fireworks that get airborne.

“I’ve worked with the Manteca Police Officers’ Association in the city booth selling fireworks that is clearly marked as such and I’ve had people ask me for illegal fireworks,” noted Police Chief Nick Obligacion.

He is hoping people refrain from illegal fireworks not only because there are inherently much more dangerous than the safe and sane variety being sold at 14 non-profit booths throughout Manteca but that this year falling embers are even more worrisome.

A large number of Manteca homes not only have dry grass due to the drought but stressed shrubbery and even trees than can easily catch fire. Several years ago illegal airborne fireworks caught Italian cypress on fire in a yard at Raymus Village that spread to the home. That happened prior to drought conditions taking hold.

Manteca’s past efforts to combat illegal fireworks have been successful due to the public’s cooperation.

Last year, San Joaquin County bomb squad crews destroyed 3,000 pounds of illegal fireworks that were confiscated by various agencies. Of that, almost 2,200 pounds came from Manteca with close to a ton from one culprit who had stacked them in his house including in his son’s bedroom in neighborhood in Powers Tract near Manteca  High with the intent to sell them.

In the past the police department have arrested individuals selling illegal fireworks out of their car trunks as well as intercepted illegal fireworks shipment at a Manteca freight company.

Obligacion along with Fire Chief Kirk Waters is asking the public to:

Be a good neighbor; keep your neighborhood safe and pleasant by not bringing illegal fireworks to Manteca.

Educate those you know about the law (and the dangers) before they buy illegal fireworks.

If someone you know has illegal fireworks let them know they can turn them in at any Manteca Fire station or the Manteca Police headquarters, without penalty.

Report illegal fireworks activity (without fire or injury) through the police department’s non-emergency number, (209.456.8101).

uVisit the professional display at Big League Dreams instead.



Safe and sane fireworks go on sale Sunday, June 28. Safe and sane fireworks are legal to fire off from June 28 until midnight on July 4.