Lighting fireworks in the City of Long Beach will now come with an even heftier cost.
At its Tuesday, June 15 meeting, The Long Beach City Council voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance that will hold infractors liable for response costs related to the fireworks on top of a $1,000 fine.
This would require those in violation to pay for the City’s “actual costs incurred” for the fireworks-related response, which could surpass $20,000 for a large response that requires multiple City departments, according to a statement from the City.
Response costs include emergency personnel salaries and benefits, administrative costs, medical treatment for emergency personnel, use of city equipment, damage to city property or equipment or any other costs related to enforcement.
If applicable, a disposal fee of $250 could also be levied in the event that fireworks are confiscated and disposed of by the Fire Marshal.
All fireworks are prohibited in the City of Long Beach.
Under the “host liability” model, property owners, landlords and property managers can also be held liable for the discharge of fireworks in addition to the tenants.
However, a provision was added that says that hosts won’t be liable if they initiate contact with law enforcement or fire officials in an attempt to assist in the removal of any “person from the property or terminating the activity in order to comply.”
See related: Property owners, tenants could be held liable for emergency response costs related to use of illegal fireworks under proposed ordinance
The ordinance is an effort to eliminate the use of fireworks as Fourth of July nears, after a steady increase in the use of illegal fireworks in the city over the past two years.
“We have begun to hear more and more fireworks being lit in our district,” Councilmember Mary Zendejas said. “Those clearly sending a message that it is really necessary to look at what things we can do to prevent anybody from wanting to light fireworks when they’re already illegal here in the city of Long Beach.”
During the Fourth of July 2020, there were 779 fireworks-related calls to the City’s dispatch center, a 67% increase in calls in comparison to an average day.
During peak hours, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., the City’s dispatch center received 449 calls, both 911 and non-emergency calls, an average of 10 calls per minute.
“It seems that every year, fireworks are becoming more and more invasive in our communities,” Councilmember Roberto Uranga said at a previous City Council meeting.
Residents can report fireworks on the Long Beach city prosecutor’s website.
The City Council’s next meeting will take place on Tuesday, July 6.
