Downey Police preparing for busy night on Fourth of July

Photo by Alex Dominguez

DOWNEY - The Downey Police Department will have special patrol on the streets specifically for fireworks violations on July 4.

Even as some families choose to participate in their own “safe and sane” fireworks display for Independence Day, many residents have growing concerns over the discharge of illegal fireworks.

According to Downey Police Lt. David Zimmerman, there has already been in increase in the discharge of illegal fireworks leading up to Saturday, and police are preparing for an active evening.

“On Saturday we’re going to have a fireworks patrol out,” said Zimmerman. “We have eight officers assigned on an overtime basis; they’ll work a two-man car. Their job is to respond to illegal fireworks calls.”

Zimmerman says that call volume for illegal firework discharge is “probably doubled” during the summer holiday, and that he is expecting volume to increase even more-so due to the holiday landing on the weekend.

“It’s truly our guys just run from call, to call, to call from about 6 pm at night to 2 am in the morning,” said Zimmerman.

While citations for the lighting of illegal fireworks can be more difficult to administer, officers can still site individuals for possession.

“We might get people leaving a scene or driving in cars; we might not see them light them, but if they are in possession of illegal fireworks that’s still a citation,” said Zimmerman.

Last year, DPD issued 54 citations for illegal fireworks. Fines can be as high as $3,000, depending on the number of offenses.

Officially, residents are allowed to light their legally purchased “safe and sane” fountains until 10 p.m. on Saturday.

If residents witness illegal firework activity, they are encouraged to call DPD.

“We’ll try and get there as soon as possible,” said Zimmerman. “Again, there’s going to be a large call volume on Saturday night…if they can see the person, that helps out.”