Long Beach council considers raising maximum fine for illegal fireworks to $15,000; residents press enforcement plans

The Long Beach City Council opened a public hearing on June 2 to consider an amendment to the city code that would increase penalties for the sale or discharge of fireworks, firearms and other explosives.

City staff told the council the draft ordinance would increase the maximum fine from $250 to $15,000 to better match the gravity of serious public-safety offenses. Staff noted that some portions of the ordinance text were presented with drafting marks and required cleanup in the final published changes.

Councilmembers and residents framed the change as a response to a frequent quality-of-life complaint. One councilmember said fireworks have become more accessible and more dangerous, citing online sales and larger mortars.

Public commenter Eileen Hashin asked a key operational question: how the city will enforce the prohibition during busy summer days and especially around July 4th. In response, the police department said it will assign extra patrols to popular areas during peak times and that the department already increases patrols around the holiday.

Staff and council also noted that if fireworks cause bodily injury to bystanders, charges can be escalated to higher criminal offenses under state penal law.

The council closed the public hearing on the item; no final ordinance vote was recorded during the meeting. Staff said they will finalize the drafting edits and return the item to the council for action at a later meeting.

What happens next: Council staff will correct drafting errors in the ordinance text and provide an updated version that includes enforcement details for council consideration at a subsequent meeting.