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Residents press Covina council on fireworks, surveillance cameras and a nearby battery facility
Summary
During public comment residents urged stronger fireworks enforcement and fines, asked for clarity on Flock camera operations and lobbied against a proposed battery storage facility near homes; the council and chief discussed enforcement capacity and possible higher fines.
The meeting’s public comment period included repeated appeals on three recurring local concerns:
• Fireworks enforcement: Several residents, including Edith Fierro, described repeated illegal fireworks in neighborhoods near older homes and urged increased enforcement, more signage and higher fines. Police Chief explained the department typically fields hundreds of calls during a short July 4 window, outlined current enforcement strategies, and confirmed a $1,000 fine is in place with staff considering higher fines and increased enforcement during the holiday.
• Surveillance (Flock) cameras: Speakers raised privacy and operational questions about the city’s Flock camera program, which will lapse based on an earlier two‑year contract. Neil Polzin asked the city to state when cameras will be turned off and removed and requested clarity about how settlement funds would be used. Commenters asked for a public timeline and transparency on camera data access and retention.
• Proposed battery storage facility and neighborhood parking concerns: Multiple commenters near the proposed battery facility expressed safety and insurance concerns and urged the city to continue public hearings at the Planning Commission level. Jose Cabral and others seeking Kelby Park overnight parking urged the council to approve expanded permit spaces to ease local parking shortages; the council later approved a modified consent calendar action to increase the number of permits for a particular HOA from 15 to 20.
Councilmembers acknowledged the concerns: public-safety staff described staffing constraints for fireworks enforcement, and council directed staff to continue work on enforcement strategies and to consider higher fines. Planning matters were referred to the Planning Commission for formal hearings where appropriate.
