Stanton council approves tip line, business‑license outreach and social‑host ordinance draft; to test drone surveillance for July

Stanton — The City Council on Feb. 1 approved a package of measures aimed at reducing illegal fireworks activity during the July holiday period, directing staff to establish a tip line for reporting illegal sales, to communicate that businesses selling illegal fireworks face license suspension or revocation, and to develop a social‑host liability ordinance paired with a contracted drone surveillance trial.

Patricia, a city staff presenter, told the council that Orange County statistics show rising fireworks harms and enforcement challenges: "In 2024, injuries associated with fireworks increased considerably to 66 total reported injuries for Orange County, up from 46 in 2023," she said, and cited about $1.6 million in reported property losses in 2024 compared with $180,000 the prior year. She said local deputies issued few citations because officers must observe illegal discharges in progress, and that large confiscations require coordination with the county bomb squad.

The council considered seven options staff had prepared, including a voluntary buyback program, a reward or tip line for reporting large suppliers, business‑license revocation for merchants who sell illegal fireworks, increased sheriff overtime, city staff overtime patrols, banning sale of "safe and sane" fireworks, and a social‑host liability ordinance coupled with drone surveillance.

John Kelly, vice president of TNT Fireworks, advised caution on buyback programs, describing the state process for disposing confiscated fireworks. "For $10 a pound, Clean Harbors will gladly come to the county and pick it up and drive it to Louisiana," Kelly said, adding that legal and storage constraints make local buybacks difficult.

Councilmembers raised practical and fiscal concerns about a city‑funded buyback and about the limits of enforcement capacity. After discussing the options in sequence, the council approved three complementary steps by voice vote: 1) establish a tip line for reporting illegal sales (staff recommended starting with no monetary reward), 2) communicate to the business community that selling illegal fireworks can trigger business‑license suspension or revocation, and 3) direct staff to prepare a social‑host liability ordinance and to contract, on a trial basis, for one professional aerial drone operator to collect nighttime video July 1–4. Staff said the drone operator would capture footage for about five hours per night; city staff would review the recorded video and could issue administrative citations within the 60‑day window the city uses for such enforcement.

Patricia cautioned the council about limits: drone coverage will be partial, and a single operator cannot be everywhere. She also noted legal and privacy considerations and said the city attorney had reviewed similar programs and outcomes from other jurisdictions.

The package directs staff to publicize the new tools and educational campaign before July. Councilmembers said they expect outreach to businesses and residents to accompany enforcement steps.

The council did not adopt a wholesale ban on the sale of safe‑and‑sane fireworks; members cited the fundraising role of local nonprofits and doubts about enforcement capacity.

What’s next: Staff will stand up the tip line, begin business outreach on license consequences, draft a social‑host liability ordinance for council consideration, and solicit quotes for one drone operator to pilot surveillance on July evenings. Citations based on drone footage would be reviewed and mailed to property owners according to the city’s citation and appeals process.