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Riverbank police urge residents to report illegal fireworks; fines, air support planned

City of Riverbank City Council · June 25, 2024
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Summary

Riverbank police briefed the council on illegal-fireworks dangers and enforcement: illegal devices that leave the ground or explode are banned, first-offense fines start at $1,000, and the department plans county helicopter air support and targeted staff shifts to document and follow up on complaints.

Riverbank — Riverbank Police leadership outlined the city's enforcement strategy for illegal fireworks ahead of the holidays and urged residents to report violations to the nonemergency dispatch line.

Chief Reitenauer told the council that illegal fireworks are the most dangerous class of devices because they leave the ground or explode, can cause injury and start fires. He said the city's municipal ordinance carries a $1,000 fine for a first offense, with higher fines for repeat offenses.

The department plans to dedicate five staff members to fireworks enforcement on the busiest nights and will work with the county sheriff's helicopter, which has a map overlay and higher-resolution cameras, to document incidents for follow-up enforcement. "If the helicopter was up that evening ... film it and let us know, and we will follow-up," Chief Reitenauer said.

The chief emphasized patience with dispatchers because calls spike on holiday nights and asked residents to use the nonemergency dispatch number (209-552-2472) for reports. He said the department will typically issue citations rather than pursue felony charges initially but may elevate enforcement when individuals are clearly identified.

Council members and callers raised public-health and animal-welfare concerns, including impacts on veterans with PTSD and household pets. The council thanked the department for the planned stepped-up enforcement.

The council opened public comment following the presentation and then proceeded with the agenda.

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