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Ridgecrest council adopts ordinance to strengthen enforcement of illegal fireworks, adds social‑host provision
Summary
After public comment and debate over enforceability and penalties, the Ridgecrest City Council voted 4–0 (one member absent) to adopt an ordinance to help police and fire departments enforce illegal fireworks, including a social‑host provision that can hold property owners responsible in some cases.
Ridgecrest
The Ridgecrest City Council on Nov. 5 adopted an ordinance intended to strengthen enforcement against illegal fireworks and create a social‑host mechanism to hold property owners or hosts accountable when fireworks are discharged from private property.
The council’s action follows public comment and detailed discussion about enforcement challenges. Resident Tom Wignick urged caution, saying he was “not sure this is necessary” and questioning whether the city had records of past citations and how fines would be distributed. “It looks like the city is trying to make all fireworks illegal,” Wignick said, urging clearer definitions in the ordinance.
City Attorney Martin and a police captain told the council the ordinance will amend the municipal code to make clear it applies to dangerous or illegal fireworks, not the state‑defined “safe and sane” devices.…
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