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Committee backs ordinance establishing local penalties for illegal fireworks
Summary
After hearing testimony from SFPD, SFFD, animal‑welfare groups and public comment (including ACLU opposition), the committee voted 3–0 to forward an ordinance that creates a graduated penalty structure for the private discharge of fireworks and provides a local enforcement mechanism.
The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee on Thursday voted to forward an ordinance to add a local penalty structure for the prohibited discharge of fireworks in San Francisco, citing injuries, fires and a July 4 surge in calls for service.
Supervisor Alan Wong said emergency departments and first responders saw a notable spike in injuries over the holiday weekend and argued San Francisco needs a practical local enforcement tool. "Illegal fireworks are not just a seasonal nuisance. They are a recurring public safety and quality of life problem," he said.
Carl Neceta, government affairs manager for the San Francisco Police Department, told the committee the ordinance does not create new prohibitions but authorizes a local infraction for a first offense (fine $125–$250) and misdemeanor penalties for repeat offenses within five years (fines $250–$750 and/or up to six months jail). He cited SFPD dispatch data (about 1,700 fireworks‑related dispatches since 2017 and roughly 70 calls through July 6, 2026) and civil grand jury findings on property loss to support enforcement needs.
Deputy Chief Patrick Grama (Fire Department) described 576 runs during the recent holiday period with multiple trash and grass fires and EMS transports for severe injuries, and Mary Drisilao of the San Francisco SPCA testified about animal panic and harms.
The ACLU of Northern California (Avi Frey) said the organization opposes the ordinance, arguing many dangerous fireworks are already criminalized under the California Health and Safety Code and that the proposed local penalties risk a mismatch between problem and remedy.
Supervisor Wong moved to forward the ordinance with a positive recommendation; the roll call recorded three ayes (Wong, Vice Chair, Chair Dorsey) and the committee forwarded the item to the full Board as a committee report.
