Police outline Fourth of July enforcement: drones, new social-host ordinance take effect June 27

Police Chief Jim Monroe told the Grover Beach City Council on June 23 that enforcement efforts for illegal fireworks will increase around the July 4 holiday, using drones and the new social-host ordinance that takes effect June 27.

"Beginning in 2021, we added drones to our enforcement efforts which have helped," Monroe said, describing aerial observation as a way to locate illegal fireworks more effectively than a patrol car. He said fireworks-related calls for service have declined from 299 in 2020 to 98 in 2024 and that the department issued eight citations last year, all during the July 4 period.

Monroe said the police department has launched social-media outreach, sent emails to short-term rental operators and will place electronic road signs informing visitors that fireworks are illegal. He said enforcement will ramp up in the days before July 4, include a substantial presence on the holiday and continue into the weekend: "we will have staff. It will, you know, incur some overtime costs for our staff coming in on their days off," Monroe said, adding that fines may offset some overtime.

Residents spoke during public comment about animals frightened by fireworks and called for stronger action. Catherine Sills said her dog has run off after fireworks that began weeks before July 4. "This isn't working," Sills said.

Council members and speakers urged the department to maintain messaging that distinguishes legal, vendor-approved fireworks from illegal devices, and to continue public education. The city also said it would issue a post-holiday report summarizing enforcement results.

The item was a receive-and-file update; councilmembers asked clarifying questions about outreach methods and timing of the ordinance'the ordinance was passed earlier and becomes enforceable 30 days after adoption, Monroe explained.