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Ridgecrest adopts ordinance to curb illegal fireworks, adds host-liability provision
Summary
The Ridgecrest City Council adopted an ordinance intended to give police and fire officials another tool to enforce illegal fireworks, including a social-host-style liability provision for property owners. The measure passed on a 4-0 roll-call vote with one member absent.
Ridgecrest — The City Council voted 4-0 on Wednesday to adopt an ordinance aimed at strengthening enforcement against illegal fireworks, including a provision that can hold property owners or hosts responsible for prohibited firework use on their property. The vote took place after public comment and a lengthy discussion of definitions and enforcement mechanics.
Council members said the ordinance is intended to be an enforcement tool rather than an automatic-penalty mechanism. Tom Wignick, a Ridgecrest resident who requested removal of the item from the consent calendar for separate discussion, urged clearer definitions and protections for property owners and tenants. "There's a rebuttable presumption that the record owner of private property as shown on the…
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