Maywood approves temporary fireworks rewards program as city pushes outreach ahead of July 4

Maywood City Council on May 28 authorized the city manager to implement a fireworks rewards program intended to encourage residents to report illegal fireworks activity ahead of the July 4 holiday.

Staff presented background on a rewards program operated by the City of Paramount and recommended similar guidelines, including confidentiality protections and reward amounts used by Paramount: $500 for information about use or possession of illegal fireworks and $1,000 for information leading to the identification of sellers of illegal fireworks. Staff said the city would follow those guideline amounts and add public education about health and safety risks to households and pets.

Councilmember comments at the study session emphasized health and safety impacts and the difficulty of catching sellers and users in the act. Council members noted that enforcement commonly requires witnessing possession, sale or use and that community tips could provide needed leads to identify repeat offenders. Council also directed a public‑education effort on social media and city channels to explain how the program works and why illegal fireworks are dangerous to people and animals.

The council’s motion authorized the city manager to implement the rewards program (substantially consistent with the staff guidelines) and to exercise discretion in program details and outreach. City staff said they would publish program details and educational materials before the July 4 period and coordinate enforcement and confidentiality safeguards with the Sheriff’s Department.