Hemet, CA – As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, the Hemet Police Department is reminding residents that all fireworks are prohibited within the City of Hemet under Municipal Code Ordinance No. 1850. This ordinance includes the possession, use, sale, and distribution of any fireworks, including those commonly marketed as “Safe and Sane.”
Each year, illegal fireworks generate hundreds of calls for service from concerned residents. Complaints range from excessive noise and neighborhood disturbances to property damage, fire hazards, and impacts on pets, veterans, and others sensitive to the loud explosions associated with fireworks.
Beyond being a nuisance, fireworks pose a significant threat to public safety. Southern California’s dry conditions create an increased risk of vegetation and structure fires, placing homes, businesses, and lives at risk.
To address these concerns, the Hemet Police Department will once again deploy a dedicated Fireworks Enforcement Team on July 4th. The operation will consist of multiple enforcement teams assigned throughout the city and supported by patrol officers working their regular beats. The enforcement effort will also be conducted in collaboration with City of Hemet Code Enforcement Officers, who will be assisting with fireworks-related enforcement and administrative citations. The Department will be taking a zero-tolerance approach to fireworks violations and will actively pursue enforcement action when violations are observed or documented.
“We understand that many residents want to celebrate the holiday, but illegal fireworks continue to create serious quality-of-life issues throughout our community,” said Lieutenant Derek Maddox. “Our goal is to reduce the number of fireworks being used in our neighborhoods and hold violators accountable before they cause injury, property damage, or start a fire.”
ENHANCED ENFORCEMENT THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
This year, the Department will continue utilizing its Drone as First Responder (DFR) program and a dedicated rapid-deployment drone team to assist officers in identifying and locating fireworks violations.
Drone resources may be deployed in response to reported fireworks complaints and other calls for service. These systems allow officers to quickly identify launch locations, direct ground units, document violations, and improve response times across the city.
Technology used during enforcement efforts may include:
• Live video feeds to assist responding officers
• Infrared imaging to locate individuals in low-light conditions
• Recorded video evidence to support citations and investigations
• Rapid drone deployment to improve response times and officer effectiveness
PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL FIREWORKS
Individuals found possessing, using, selling, or distributing illegal fireworks may face:
• Administrative fines of up to $1,000 per violation
• Criminal prosecution when applicable
• Citations issued to responsible parties and property owners when supported by evidence
• Citations may be issued at the time of the violation or mailed at a later date based on evidence collected during the investigation, including officer observations, photographs, video recordings, and other technology-assisted evidence
REPORTING ILLEGAL FIREWORKS
Residents are encouraged to report illegal fireworks through the following methods:
Fireworks Hotline: (951) 765-3827
Email: pdfireworks@hemetca.gov
Residents are asked not to call 9-1-1 for routine fireworks complaints. Emergency lines should remain available for life-threatening emergencies and active fire situations.
The Hemet Police Department encourages everyone to celebrate responsibly, attend professional fireworks displays, and help keep our neighborhoods safe throughout the holiday.