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Police, fire outline fireworks response after busy July 4 weekend
Summary
City police and fire staff told council that July 4 weekend calls were comparable to last year but response times increased; the departments cited staffing, a spike in calls between 9 and 10 p.m., and weather-limited drone use as factors.
Christina Garcia, Police Service Analyst for the Dixon Police Department, told the council the department compared call volumes for the July 4 holiday across three years and found this year's totals were roughly similar to last year's. "Our response time for calls this year, it was our average was 24 minutes and 46 seconds compared to 13 minutes and 3 seconds last year," Garcia said, attributing the increase to a concentration of calls late in the evening and higher overtime use.
Deputy Fire Chief Randy Schafer said the fire department recorded 15 calls for service over the five-day holiday window, including three fire-related incidents all linked to fireworks (a portable-toilet total loss, a smoldering dumpster and a small vegetation fire). "This year, we had 15 calls for service with 3 fire related incidents," Schafer said, and added the department could not determine whether the devices involved were legal or illegal.
City staff and the police chief discussed technology and staffing responses: chief-level comments proposed more use of drones as an enforcement and deterrence tool when weather permits and noted Dixon is one of the few cities in the county that still allows fireworks. Staff said they will return with a more detailed plan, including a possible ordinance and contingency messaging for high-wind conditions.
