With the Fourth of July on the horizon, the Concord Police Department is taking a proactive approach to deter the use of illegal fireworks. Over the next couple weeks, teams of officers will be working special details to focus on areas with high volumes of fireworks complaints and working on responding to real-time reports of fireworks-related calls.
Community members are encouraged to report fireworks through its mobile app, Concord Connect, unless other dangerous conditions are present. By using Concord Connect for non-emergency fireworks calls, 911 dispatch lines will not be overwhelmed with calls.
ALL fireworks are illegal in Concord (except for permitted professional displays) and fines can reach up to $500. The goal of this proactive strategy is to protect against injuries and property damages caused by fireworks, and to prevent fires in the City.
Download the Concord Connect app to your smartphone or access the web-based tool here.
In Contra Costa County, all fireworks are illegal as the Board of Supervisors increased its own ordinance back in June of 2021 which strengthens regulations of the possession, manufacture, sale, use, and discharge of fireworks in the unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County.
“Illegal fireworks pose a danger to our communities and a drain on our system,” said Board Chair, Supervisor Diane Burgis. “We simply don’t have the resources to address this continued problem. I would encourage the cities to follow suit and send the message that illegal fireworks will not be tolerated in Contra Costa County.”
Under the new ordinance, property owners and vessel owners are responsible for ensuring that the use of illegal fireworks does not occur on their property. Owners may be liable for ordinance violations if illegal fireworks are used on their property or vessel.
The ordinance also authorizes the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office to issue citations for violations of the fireworks ordinance. A violation of the ordinance is subject to a fine of $100, a fine of $200 for a second violation of the ordinance within one year, and a fine of $500 for each additional violation of the ordinance within one year.
See full document Ordinance No. 2021-19 (PDF), amending Chapter 44-2 of the County Ordinance Code on Fireworks.
Notes –
- Contra Costa County Amends Fireworks Ordinance Board Meeting Emphasizes Public Safety and Wildfire Prevention
- City of Livermore Fireworks Ordinance – increases fines to $500. (goes into effect June 22, 2023)
