Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Police report: 157 calls, 15 fireworks citations and mutual aid used on July 4
Summary
East Palo Alto Police Chief told the council the July 4 enforcement operation generated 157 calls for service, 27 cases with case numbers, 15 $1,000 fireworks citations and six arrests; mutual aid from neighboring agencies was required to control violent crowds.
Chief of Police delivered an informational report on the department's July 4 fireworks response, describing a concentrated enforcement effort and operational challenges.
The chief said the department prioritized public safety, requiring all available officers not on leave to work the event. During the enforcement period the department responded to 157 calls for service, opened 27 investigations that generated case numbers, issued 15 citations under the city's fireworks ordinance (each cited at $1,000), and made six arrests. Officers encountered unruly and at times violent crowds; two officers were injured and mutual aid from the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, Atherton, Menlo Park and Palo Alto police departments brought an additional 15–20 officers to restore control.
Council members and many public speakers described fireworks as an annual, traumatic problem — particularly for veterans and households with small children or pets—and urged continued coordinated community strategies, technology options such as drones, and more targeted enforcement and outreach. City staff and the City Manager emphasized that enforcement alone will not solve the problem and encouraged community engagement to reduce demand for illegal fireworks.
