Fireworks Laws in Cities Near Lakewood CA

Dozens of Southland cities allow the sale of so-called "safe and sane" fireworks - products sanctioned by the state fire marshal that do not explode or leave the ground - to celebrate Independence Day, while others ban them year-round. http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_6272904

Here's a look at what area cities allow:

Artesia

Safe and sane fireworks may be sold or discharged from noon June 28 to 9 p.m. July 4. During that period, they cannot be sold or discharged before 7 a.m. or after 10 p.m.

Bellflower

Safe and sane fireworks may be discharged only until 11 p.m. July 1, 2, 3 and 5, and until midnight July 4.

Carson

Safe and sane fireworks may be sold and discharged from noon June 28 to midnight July 4.

Cerritos

The sale or use of all fireworks, including safe and sane ones, is illegal.

Downey

Safe and sane fireworks may be discharged only from 3 to 10 p.m. July 4.

Huntington Beach

The sale or use of all fireworks, including safe and sane ones, is illegal.

Lakewood

Residents may possess safe and sane fireworks from July 1 to July 4 and may use them only from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 4.

Long Beach

The sale or use of all fireworks, including safe and sane ones, is illegal.

Norwalk

Residents may possess safe and sane fireworks between 10 a.m. June 28 and midnight July 4 and discharge them from July 2 to 4. No one may shoot off fireworks on city property, including parks.

Paramount

Fireworks can be used only on July 3 and 4. Also, you must be 16 years or older to purchase the items.

Seal Beach

The sale or use of all fireworks, including safe and sane ones, is illegal.

Signal Hill

The sale or use of all fireworks, including safe and sane ones, is illegal.

E-mail leads to Brown Act concerns

http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=77028
San Mataeo Daily Journal Staff Report

The increasing use of e-mail communication between elected and appointed officials might create pitfalls such as the appearance members of the same body are violating the Brown Act by conducting public business in a private arena, according to a new San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury report.

The Brown Act, California’s open meeting law, prohibits the majority of a legislative body from gathering at the same time and place to discuss or decide any matter. Violators can be prosecuted or otherwise sanctioned.

The grand jury investigation didn’t turn up proof any San Mateo County officials met inappropriately but stated in its report that electronic communication can create “an appearance of an illegal serial meeting.”

The preponderance of e-mail with attachments also opens the cities and counties to full public disclosure under the Public Records Act, according to the grand jury.

The act, the jury found, can constitute a significant burden on staff time, document copies and legal costs to determine which records apply. Part of the challenge, too, is sorting official business from any personal communication sent from the same e-mail account.

During county budget hearings earlier this week, County Counsel Tom Casey touched on the sometimes-onerous task of responding to a growing number of Freedom of Information Acts from the press and general public.

The jury recommends every city council issue official e-mail accounts to members, adopt policies requiring the use of the accounts for all official business, considering providing accounts to planning commissioners, develop record retention policies and include legal updates on the Brown Act and Public Records Act during mandatory ethics training.

We're still waiting Baca...

Well we have been waiting for the LASD Sheriff's report since June 12. Still nothing. More as we learn it. I think it is quite obvious that Sheriff Baca did not want to let Hilton out early like the other inmates (knowing there would be press cries about unfair treatment) so they cooked up this medical excuse which everyone knows is a sham. Sort of like Alberto Gonzales saying that he had a right to fire the US Attorneys for any reason at all (likely political) after earlier blaming it on poor performance. State the real reason the first time. Be up front about it. Sooner or later the truth will come out.

LAAG is also having a good laugh at the blow back that City Attorney Rocky Delgadio is getting over all his dirty laundry that came to light due to his Hilton pressure. Makes you wonder about all the dirt in city/county politics than never comes to light as no one is digging. Well LAAG has a tiny shovel and a big pile of BS to get through.

The Text of the order:

click here to read full order

At its meeting held June 12, 2007, the Board took the following action:

84-C The following item was called up for consideration:
Recommendation as submitted by Supervisors Antonovich and Burke: Request the Sheriff to provide a report in one week providing the reasons for the premature release of Paris Hilton from the Sheriff's Century Regional Detention Facility, including the reasons for not placing her in an appropriate medical facility such as the jail ward of the LAC+USC Medical Center.

After discussion, on motion of Supervisor Knabe, and by common consent, there being no objection (Supervisor Antonovich being absent), the Sheriff was requested to present a report at the June 19, 2007 Board meeting, at 12:00 p.m., providing the reasons for the premature release of Paris Hilton from the Sheriff’s Century Regional Detention Facility for alleged medical reasons, including the reasons for not placing her in an appropriate medical facility such as the jail ward of the LAC+USC Medical Center.

09061207_84-C
Copies distributed:
Each Supervisor
Chief Administrative Officer
County Counsel

Letter sent to:
Sheriff

We have heard it all before...

Well this article below by Mr Dillow is really just repeating everything that LAAG said last year. Nothing new here. The Fireworks companies have learned that the best way to insulate themselves from attacks is to jump in bed with the so called "booster/sports groups/clubs" and get them to make the fundraising argument for them. Again this has nothing to do with July 4 or patriotism. Its money. The problem of course as pointed out below and here before at LAAG: The money raised by these groups selling smoke and fire does not outweigh taxpayers funds to police the activity and the ancillary problems they create. But no one cares about taxpayer dollars. LA County Sheriffs clearly dont as they buy new SUV's on fireworks overtime and love to accommodate the city. The small number of people benefiting from the fireworks funds dont complain. And last but not least the US distributors of the Chinese work product surely are not complaining. Free labor at the stands, free police protection and they make their whole years profit in one day. God bless the 4th of July! Oh and dont think LAAG has missed the fireworks companies "safety" public relations blitz (BS) either. Fire danger? What fire danger they say...what about lightening...and on and on it goes.

The point is the city would be better off giving the damn money to the clubs than spending twice that amount trying to control the ancillary problems that "so called" "Safe and Sane" fireworks attract. (see related article here) Plus as an added bonus we could say good bye to all the air, noise and water pollution. Let alone the fires and injuries. All in all quite a silly proposition. But politicians cant say no to anyone fearing they may loose a vote. And in a city where it only takes 2,700 votes to get elected out of 80,000 residents, those votes are important.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

How sane are 'safe' fireworks?

by GORDON DILLOW

Register columnist
GLDillow@aol.com

The way Russ McDonald and some other folks in Garden Grove see it, there's no such thing as "safe and sane" fireworks. On the contrary, they think that allowing the private sale, possession and use of any kind of pyrotechnic devices over the Independence Day holiday is completely unsafe and dangerously insane.

"You can't believe how much fear there is here over these cotton-pickin' fireworks," says Russ, 61, part of a group of residents who are trying to have all fireworks banned from the city. "They're afraid of their homes being burned down, and their pets are being scared out of their minds. It's gotten completely out of hand. People are coming into the city from places all over where they don't allow fireworks to shoot them off here."

In fact, Russ, a Vietnam veteran, says that on the Fourth of July, "It sounds like mortar rounds going off. It sounds like we're under attack."

Of course, this issue isn't new. As one of only five Orange County cities that still allow "safe and sane" fireworks – the others are Buena Park, Stanton, Santa Ana and Costa Mesa – there has long been tension between pro- and anti-fireworks factions. (Generally speaking, legal "safe and sane" fireworks can only spark and whistle and smoke, while illegal fireworks are ones that explode or shoot into the air.)

Opponents say that "safe and sane" fireworks are simply convenient camouflage for the even more dangerous illegal fireworks, which fire officials say are readily available from out of state or foreign sources. Last Fourth of July there were no less than 1,200 incidents of illegal fireworks use in Garden Grove, and three buildings were set ablaze, with damages of about $165,000.

For obvious reasons, it's a problem that city police and fire officials wish they didn't have to deal with. They say that the $22,000 the city brings in from permit fees for fireworks sales – the 45 or so permits are issued only to non-profit groups -- is far outweighed by the almost $100,000 in increased costs for police and fire services on the holiday. And despite a new $1,000 fine for using illegal fireworks or misusing legal ones, they expect a hot time in Garden Grove on Independence Day.

"There are better ways to celebrate the holiday" than setting off fireworks, says Garden Grove Fire Marshal Dave Barlag. But he noted that while the city fire and police chiefs have gone on record opposing all fireworks sales and use, the City Council has decided otherwise.

And why? The answer is pure politics.

Never mind that almost any honest local pol will admit that fireworks are generally a pain in the neck. For example, Garden Grove councilman and former mayor Bruce Broadwater agrees that fireworks can be annoying ("It drives the dogs nuts," he says), that they bring in crowds of fireworks-frenzied outsiders ("That's a legitimate complaint," he says), and that fireworks block parties can get out of hand ("Sometimes it sounds like Vietnam out there," he says – again the fireworks-war analogy.)

But Broadwater also notes that dozens of school booster groups and other non-profit, youth-oriented organizations derive much of their annual income from Fourth of July fireworks sales. Collectively the groups raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to benefit the kids -- and no politician with the IQ of an egg timer wants hordes of moms and dads of high school band members and cheerleaders chewing on his ear because he voted to shut down their chief fundraising source.

"It's a tough issue for a politician," says Broadwater – adding that he doubts the City Council will change its mind about fireworks anytime soon.

And frankly, it's tough issue for a columnist, too.

On one hand, it's clear that even so-called "safe and sane" fireworks can be annoying and dangerous in the wrong hands, particularly in high fire-danger areas. I can understand why some people want to ban them completely.

But I can also understand why other people see creeping nanny-state-ism in further restricting the use of fireworks by responsible people as well as the irresponsible ones. To them it's sort of like banning Fourth of July beer and hotdogs because some idiots will get drunk and drive.

So I'll weasel out of this one by saying that I hope the good people of Garden Grove will settle this issue in a democratic manner – which, when you think about it, is what Independence Day is really all about.

I'll be on vacation next week, attending a reunion in Las Vegas with some of my fine young Marine friends from Iraq and then taking a few days to physically recover from the experience. God willing, I'll return to this space on July 8.

In the meantime, here's wishing you and yours a happy and safe Independence Day.

Especially if you live in Garden Grove.

Contact the writer: 714 -796 -7953 or GLDillow@aol.com

OC firework bans

Q. How do I find out if fireworks are banned in my city?

A. Currently, the only Orange County cities that allow the sale and use of fireworks are Santa Ana, Stanton, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove and Buena Park, said Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Stephen Miller.

"Most cities have banned them due to injuries and mayhem it causes," Miller said.

You can only sell, use and be in possession of fireworks inside those cities. It's illegal to take fireworks outside the designated areas in the county even if you don't use them.

Also, it may be a good idea to find out what city you really live in, Miller said. For example, if you live in the North Tustin area, you may have a mailing address of Santa Ana but actually live in an unincorporated part of the county. So you could be fined if caught in possession of fireworks because you live outside the city proper, Miller said.

Miller encourages people to attend firework displays instead. You can find your nearest display at www.ocfa.org or call 714-573-6225. To report illegal fireworks, call 714-538-3501.

Like poppies in Afganistan..its all about fundraising

So LAAG asks: How are Fireworks different than growing poppy Heroin in Afghanistan? Both are very profitable. Both are very favored by "fundraising groups", like Al Qaeda over there and others over on this side of the world. You ask the people in Afghanistan about growing poppies and they say "hey we have to eat..its not about illegal drug use..thats someone else's problem". Same Here. People say we need fireworks sales or our club will suffer. The fact they cause fires, attract illegal fireworks and cost cities more than the funds raised (etc.) is someone elses problem. Think about it.

Quotes from the Tri Valley Herald (6/28/07)
http://www.insidebayarea.com/trivalleyherald/localnews/ci_6249505

"Selling fireworks was probably the most successful (fundraising effort) we've ever had," said Jim McDonough, a volunteer with the Manteca chapter of the Knights of Columbus, who added he planned to man their booth on North Main Street.

"Our biggest problem is the use of illegal fireworks and the ability to 'hide' them while displaying safe and sane fireworks," Manteca fire Chief George Quaresma said. [Amen to that]

Leading up to the Fourth of July the past two years, four fires have been broken out in Manteca from the misuse of 'safe and sane' fireworks, mostly due to their proximity to fuel sources, such as dry grass or combustibles in garages, said Randy Sutton, a Manteca fire marshal.

"It allowed us to earn a lot of money that we gave money to other local charities that we couldn't have otherwise," he said.

Councilman Vince Hernandez brought the concept forward in 2004 as a way for nonprofits to make money while not having to compete with other organizations.

"The nonprofits in the community needed an avenue that could garner a quick turnaround and not have so much competition," he said, adding he noticed there was a plethora of dinner and telethon fundraisers in the community.

Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks press release

Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks
a group of 22 health and safety organizations, coordinated by NFPA, that urges the public to avoid the use of any form of consumer fireworks and instead, to enjoy displays of fireworks conducted by trained professionals.

Consumer fireworks risks exposed by leading health and safety advocates

Washington, D.C., June 22, 2006 – Each July Fourth, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks. Despite the dangers of fireworks, few people understand the associated risks. To prevent future tragedies, a group of 21 health and safety organizations – the Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks – urged the public, at a press conference today in Washington D.C., to avoid any use of consumer fireworks, including sparklers, as this year’s Independence Day celebrations get underway. (See a slideshow of images from the press conference )

“Every year nearly 10,000 people have to go to emergency rooms because of fireworks injuries,” said James M. Shannon, president and CEO of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), who along with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), founded the alliance four years ago. “Consumer fireworks hurt thousands of people and if we continue to use them, we are simply continuing a holiday tradition of causing serious injuries. We cannot keep putting these dangerous devices in the hands of our children.”

In 2004, sparklers, fountains, and novelties accounted for 40 percent of all emergency room fireworks injuries. And, the damage from fireworks goes beyond injuries. In a typical year, during the Independence Day holiday, fireworks cause more fires in the U.S. than all other causes of fire combined.

Also speaking at the event were Ed Altizer, Virginia State Fire Marshal representing the International Fire Marshals Association, Dr. Mary Pat McKay, from George Washington University Medical Center and Dr. Stephen Baker, a plastic surgeon Georgetown University Hospital.

As a part of the group’s efforts, NFPA released a detailed report outlining consumer fireworks’ destruction across the U.S.

Injuries: In 2004, five out of six (85 percent) of the 9,600 fireworks injuries reported to emergency departments involved fireworks that federal regulations permit consumers to use. Total injuries were up from 9,300 in 2003. More than two-fifths (42 percent) of the 2004 fireworks injuries in emergency rooms were to the head, and more than half (53 percent) were to the extremities. About 21 percent of injuries involved the eyes. Nearly two-thirds (62 percent) of all injuries were burns.

As in most years, the majority of victims of fireworks injuries in 2004 were under age 20. The highest injury rates were for children aged five to nine, only slightly higher than the rates for children aged 10 to 14 and individuals aged 15 to 19. The rates for children age four and younger and for young adults aged 20 to 24 were 50 percent higher than the average rate for all ages. Males accounted for three-fourths (75 percent) of all reported fireworks injuries.

Fires: In 2003, the latest year for which national fireworks-related fire statistics are available, fire departments responded to an estimated 2,300 structure and vehicle fires started by fireworks.

Each year, most fireworks-related fires begin in outdoor brush or refuse, but most of the loss occurs in fires with structures involved. These fires can start with outdoor use of fireworks, as when a bottle rocket, launched outside, lands on a roof or other location not easily accessed, where it ignites combustibles before anyone can retrieve it.

Fires started by fireworks caused $58 million in property damage to structures and vehicles in 2003.

Laws: There are currently only five states that ban all consumer fireworks. They are: Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island.

Because of the dangers of fireworks, members of the Alliance are urging Americans to attend professional fireworks displays this July Fourth season. The Alliance includes NFPA, and the AAP, along with the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for Hand Surgery, American Association of Public Health Physicians, American Burn Association, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Emergency Nurses Association, Fire Department Safety Officers Association, International Association of Arson Investigators, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Fire Fighters, International Fire Marshals Association, Metropolitan Fire Chiefs, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Association of School Nurses, National Association of State Fire Marshals, National Volunteer Fire Council, Prevent Blindness America.

NFPA has been a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.

2006 Fireworks Annual Report

CPSC Warns of Deadly Dangers When Consumers Use Illegal Fireworks

Cops Bust Illegal Fireworks Seller -- Online

Hopefully the LA County Sheriffs are getting some ideas from this...are you listening LASD?

Written for the web by Cornell Barnard, Reporter
http://www.news10.net/display_story.aspx?storyid=29508

Detectives from the Alameda County Sheriff's Department just made a large bust of illegal fireworks -- without even leaving their office.

On a tip, detectives found a Craigslist posting for illegal fireworks for sale. Undercover officers quickly agreed to meet the seller to buy more than $1,500 dollars worth of illegal fireworks.

Sporting names like the "Bay City Blaster" and "Thunder Bomb," some of the fireworks were actually closer to mortars, capable of severely injuring people.

Joel Otsuka of Union City was arrested after much of the fireworks stash was found at his home.

"He gave us a menu. We could get anything through him," Alameda County Sheriffs Sgt. J.D. Nelson said.

Stockton firefighters say all they need is a tip to investigate where illegal are being sold.

"It's a priority for us since all fireworks were outlawed in Stockton this year," said Fire Captain Jim Miller. "They're called safe and sane, but they're only as sane as the hands they're in."

Redwood City's ban on fireworks still stands

REDWOOD CITY: PUBLIC CAUTIONED ABOUT FIREWORKS BAN
06/18/07 8:10 PDT
http://cbs5.com/localwire/localfsnews/bcn/2007/06/18/n/HeadlineNews/FIREWORKS-BAN/resources_bcn_html
REDWOOD CITY (BCN)

Redwood City's ban on fireworks still stands, fire officials announced today in anticipation of the upcoming Independence Day celebrations.

The city's Uniform Fire Code prohibits any type of fireworks within city limits, the only exception being professional fireworks shows such as the one at the Port of Redwood City, according to Redwood City Fire Marshal Louis Vella.

Anyone found in possession of fireworks by police will receive a citation and the fireworks will be confiscated, Vella said. Fireworks obtained in other areas may not be brought in to or used in Redwood City, he added.

"The City's goal is for the community to have a safe, fun 4th of July holiday, and to prevent fire or injury incidents related to fireworks," Vella said.

Thousands of fires and injuries caused by fireworks are reported throughout the United States each year, according to Vella.

Fireworks banned in El Dorado and Amador counties CA

Burning limited in two counties

Published 12:00 am PDT Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Story appeared in METRO section, Page B2
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/229689.html

CAMINO CA -- Burning permits were suspended as of Monday in areas of El Dorado and Amador counties under the jurisdiction of Cal Fire.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection announced that campfires will be allowed in designated campgrounds with permission of the agency overseeing the site. People with questions about the restrictions should contact an area Cal Fire facility.

The burn suspension does not apply to the portion of El Dorado County within the Lake Tahoe basin. For information about burning in that area, call the U.S. Forest Service Tahoe Basin Management Unit at (530) 543-2600.

Cal Fire officials also noted that the sale and discharge of all fireworks, including the "safe and sane" variety, are prohibited throughout El Dorado County and in most areas of Amador County.

-- Cathy Locke