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Residents press Montclair council on fireworks, riverbed encampments and vandalism
Summary
Public commenters urged Montclair leaders to act on repeated fireworks disturbances, fires and thefts in the riverbed and visible homelessness and vandalism in commercial areas; the mayor and staff acknowledged concerns and said the city is prioritizing enforcement but cited state policy limits and resource constraints.
Montclair — Several residents used the city council’s public‑comment period to demand stronger enforcement against repeated fireworks, encampments and vandalism that they said have become a chronic problem in Montclair neighborhoods.
Joan Lindhorst told the council that loud firecrackers have been detonated near her Marion and Bandera neighborhood "not just this year" but for many years, and said the police can act only if they "catch them in the act." She asked for more effective enforcement and a plan to reduce the long season of fireworks.
"We were told years ago that they can't do anything unless they caught them in an act," Lindhorst said, noting neighbors who are frightened and a veteran whose combat memories were triggered.
Jonathan, another resident, urged the council to close off a riverbed trail used by people camping and committing repeated thefts and setting fires; he cited a recent death and said the current piecemeal fixes are insufficient. "We've had somebody just recently die on the riverbed," Jonathan said, and he urged action to protect elderly residents and children.
Sean Brunsky described property vandalism near Jan's Tropical Fish and said homelessness, substance abuse and open-air drug use in plazas and along Central Avenue create fear in the community. He urged more aggressive use of trespass notices and enforcement and recommended using drones or video evidence to catch offenders.
Mayor Dutre acknowledged the concerns, said the city had responded to a morning call and had directed staff, and noted limits imposed by state policy changes that have reduced certain enforcement tools. "There's some bad policy that comes from Sacramento, and now we're dealing with some of that bad policy," the mayor said, adding that the city is "working on it" and coordinating with county and law enforcement partners.
Staff and the chief were asked to provide statistics comparing fireworks and related calls for service to previous years and to continue outreach and enforcement efforts. The mayor said city staff and the county sheriff were being asked to identify additional resources and beds for treatment and shelter where appropriate.
The council did not take formal action at the meeting on these public comments, but members acknowledged the issues and requested follow‑up information from police and other staff.
