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Templeton plans aerial surveillance, hotspot citations for Fourth of July fireworks
Summary
Officials told the committee they contracted ArrowWatch to fly three concentric aerial patterns over Templeton from 8 p.m. to midnight on the Fourth, prioritizing high-confidence detections for citations; the one-night aerial surveillance costs $11,000 and was partly offset by donations.
District staff told the Fire & Emergency Management Committee the July 4 enforcement plan will emphasize education but will use aerial surveillance and coordinated ground response to identify and cite illegal fireworks use.
"A company called ArrowWatch... will be up from 8PM till midnight... flying 3 concentric patterns over Templeton," staff said, describing the vendor's high/medium/low-confidence outputs. Staff said the district will focus citations on high-confidence detections to reduce appeals risk and protect against unsuccessful enforcement outcomes.
Staff outlined an evidence workflow: aerial data will be reviewed, high-confidence incidents will be paired with dashcam or drone footage from sheriff and district field units, and citation templates on iPads will standardize evidence collection and notices to property owners. The district also plans public education and patrol staffing on the 3rd and 4th; a sheriff's resource will assist with aerial/drone coordination.
The committee was told the aerial-surveillance vendor cost for the night is $11,000; three permitted booth holders and a donation from TNT have helped offset the expense. Staff said it will prioritize high-confidence detections this first year to avoid appeals and to ensure a defensible record if citations are challenged.
Members discussed whether resident-submitted videos could be used as evidence; staff said direct transfer of original footage and clear identification would be required before it could be relied on for citation. The committee did not approve new ordinance language during the meeting; staff reported the county and signs at parks already communicate fireworks restrictions.
