Councilwoman Wendy Leece brought up the subject, saying Costa Mesa looked like a “war zone” as she drove around last July 4.
“It is a reality that we should maybe put a moratorium on fireworks,” Leece said. “And of course that’s alarming to many youth groups that use the stands to raise a lot of money.
“We met many of the people who have the stands, and I think that they’re pretty aware that their time is limited,” Leece said.
Groups often make about $10,000 to $20,000 from fireworks sales and use that money to buy their equipment, bankroll their trips, or pay fees.
These groups need to look into other methods of making money, Leece said.
Police and fire officials say the Fourth of July often brings a lot of service calls. Police Special Events Coordinator Tony Yannizzi estimates authorities received about 400 calls on July 4 last year.
Most of these complaints are for people lighting illegal fireworks or discharging fireworks at inappropriate times, he said.
“We’ve had very little property damage and no major injuries that I know of as a result of the fireworks in the past years,” Fire Battalion Chief Scott Broussard said.
Broussard and Yannizzi said last year was not unusually dangerous or damaging in the city, but council members wanted their respective departments to concentrate on making their presence felt in the community.
Only fireworks labeled “safe and sane” are allowed in Costa Mesa, and they may be discharged only from 4 to 10 p.m. July 4. Fireworks aren’t allowed in city parks.
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Organization Name Stand Location
AYSO Region 120 - 17th 289 E. 17th St.
