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Gonzales City officials urge residents to avoid illegal fireworks; police say drone surveillance will be used
Summary
Gonzales fire and police officials, joined by the American Legion, urged residents not to use illegal fireworks after citing fires that led to homelessness, delayed emergency responses, and harms to veterans and pets. Police warned of fines, possible jail and said a drone will be deployed to search for illegal use.
Gonzales City officials issued a public safety appeal urging residents not to use illegal fireworks, citing recent fires that caused injuries, property loss and delays in emergency medical response. A spokesperson for the Gonzales Fire Department said the city has seen "devastating fires" and warned that the risk to families and drivers is "not worth it."
The message combined public‑safety consequences with enforcement warnings. A representative of the Gonzales Police Department told residents that "possessing or using illegal fireworks can result in misdemeanor or felony charges and fines up to $1,000 and jail time up to 1 year," and that property owners who allow illegal discharges may also face penalties. The police representative added the department will prosecute offenses "to the full extent of the law" and said the department "will be launching an unmanned aerial vehicle, commonly known as a drone, in search of illegal fireworks."
Officials also linked illegal fireworks to harms beyond fires. One speaker said fires caused by illegal fireworks had delayed response to time‑sensitive medical emergencies such as heart attacks and strokes, potentially putting patients at greater risk. The Gonzales American Legion Post 81 urged residents to consider veterans, saying "those loud explosions and bursts of light can lead veterans into a harmful state of anxiety," particularly for people with post‑traumatic stress disorder.
Speakers raised the effect on household pets as well. A public safety official said fireworks "terrorize our beloved pets," leading animals to hide, behave aggressively or run away, and asked residents to "please celebrate responsibly this year and don't use illegal fireworks."
City officials did not release figures on the number of recent fires, arrests or prosecutions, nor did they give a start date for the police drone flights. They urged residents to follow legal fireworks guidelines and to report illegal activity to the Gonzales Police Department.
The statement concluded with the request that residents celebrate responsibly to protect people, veterans and animals and to avoid further strain on emergency services.
