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Phoenix presents 'Celebrate Safely' campaign and expanded inspections to curb illegal fireworks and celebratory gunfire
Summary
City officials updated the Public Safety & Justice Subcommittee on a multi‑department fireworks safety task force that used inspection sweeps, bilingual outreach and a multimedia 'Celebrate Safely' campaign to reduce holiday incidents; they reported hundreds of inspections, partnerships with MAG and two arrests for celebratory gunfire over New Year’s.
City officials updated the Public Safety & Justice Subcommittee on an interdepartmental fireworks safety task force that has expanded inspections, enforcement and bilingual public education to reduce illegal aerial fireworks and celebratory gunfire.
Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and Assistant Fire Chief Justin Alexander said the task force — which pulls staff from police, fire, prosecutor’s office, neighborhood services, parks and other departments — was formed after council offices reported rising complaints around July 4 and New Year’s. Fire Department inspections of permitted and potential fireworks sales sites rose; staff reported more than 600 inspections in the last season and the introduction of post‑season and unannounced "pop‑in" checks to identify stores selling fireworks outside state‑permitted dates.
Assistant Fire Marshal Eric Williams said in some cases stores received product meant for neighboring states and…
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