Pacifica police report fewer July 4 fireworks calls; department issued 14 citations

The Pacifica Police Department reported a small overall drop in calls for service around the July 4 holiday and described its enforcement and outreach work to the City Council on Oct. 13.

Captain Bill Glasgow presented the department's July 4, 2025 summary, saying overall calls for service decreased about 5% compared with 2024 and fireworks-related calls declined 24% across the full reporting period. During peak hours — listed by staff as 7 p.m. July 4 to 2 a.m. July 5 — fireworks-related calls dropped 13%, and total service calls declined about 1.5%, Glasgow said.

"We launched an aggressive messaging campaign in mid-June" to deter illegal fireworks, Glasgow said. He described targeted deployment, drone surveillance plans and community outreach as tools used to reduce illegal activity.

Police issued 14 administrative citations for illegal fireworks this year and one citation under the city’s social-host ordinance; Glasgow said the social-host citation carries a $1,000 fine. That enforcement count rose from 10 citations in 2024. Glasgow said most cited individuals were adults and that five cited people were Pacifica residents.

City revenues tied to safe-and-sane fireworks sales generated $36,000 this year from the city’s 7% safety fee. Glasgow told the council that departmental expenditures across police, fire and public works were higher overall than revenues this year but that the department’s reported $14,000 in fines (14 citations at $1,000 each) was not included in the original expenditures figure.

Staff also said North County Fire Authority's costs increased from 2024 and that police staffing on July 4 included 27 Pacifica officers, four professional staff, one outside dispatcher and supplemental personnel from reserves and neighboring agencies. Glasgow said the department experienced lower staffing levels than in some prior years because of vacancies and leave but used reserve officers and mutual-aid partners.

Glasgow said the department plans to add unmanned aerial systems sourced from Skydio after delivery expected in early 2026. "We will be cautious in deploying such expensive equipment," he said, adding the department will use drones "if there's a specific public-safety need."

The council moved to accept the July 4 report as part of consent item 4. Vice Mayor Christine Bowles made the motion; Council Member Giselle Espinosa seconded. Roll call votes recorded all council members as voting yes and the motion carried unanimously.

The presentation also noted that 11 nonprofit groups held permits to sell safe-and-sane fireworks this year and contributed at least 401 volunteer beach cleanup hours coordinated by the Pacifica Beach Coalition and public works.

Public commenters and council members thanked police and partner agencies for enforcement and community outreach and asked staff to clarify how residents should report illegal fireworks (call-takers attempt to obtain location and contact information; 911 is recommended for safety emergencies).