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Council backs 'It's Not Worth It' fireworks enforcement plan, authorizes expanded staffing and campaign
Summary
Hanford’s City Council approved a comprehensive fireworks enforcement and education plan on Sept. 16, directing staff to implement a multi‑department effort pairing increased dispatch and on‑the‑ground staffing, administrative fines, a social‑host approach and an evidence‑collection and disposal process.
After renewed public complaints and several large illegal‑fireworks incidents, Hanford’s City Council on Sept. 16 unanimously approved a multi‑component enforcement and public‑education strategy — described by staff as the “It’s Not Worth It” campaign — that combines added fire and police staffing for holiday enforcement, administrative citation authority and an appeals process, evidence collection (including limited drone use), and secure storage/disposal and administrative processing for confiscated fireworks.
Fire Chief Dan Perkins outlined three options for 2026: (1) no change; (2) limited changes (extra staffing for the holiday period and modest enforcement); or (3) a full, multi‑department campaign combining increased suppression staffing, targeted enforcement with citations and administrative fines, social‑host notice and penalties for property owners where illegal fireworks are launched, a public outreach campaign and a evidence‑gathering and storage/disposal process. Council selected option 3.
Staff described legal and operational limits: administrative citations (not criminal prosecution) are the city’s principal tool; the city may levy fines up to $10,000 per day under municipal code for extreme cases (the staff report described the current maximum per‑person administrative fine as $1,000 but noted local general‑law cities may cap daily administrative penalties). Staff said some evidence collection and appeals functions will be handled by neutral hearing officers. Staff also recommended drone footage for public‑space observation (flight at public altitudes) to identify locations where illegal fireworks are launched.
Staff estimated the three‑day Holiday intensive enforcement option costs at about $60,000 (police and fire overtime and support) and noted larger multi‑day coverage for years when July 4 falls adjacent to weekend days could be more costly. Perkins cautioned there will be an implementation learning curve; he said the first year will include many citations as the program establishes enforcement and that financial collection rates for administrative fines historically have been modest.
Council passed the full campaign and authorized implementation and funding steps (5‑0). Councilmembers asked for clear public messaging and emphasized interagency coordination with neighboring jurisdictions; Kings County representatives present said they had increased penalties in their jurisdiction as well.
