The City of Sacramento’s Fireworks Mitigation Task Force has had a busy few weeks.
Operating from June 1 through July 5, the task force’s main purpose is to limit the sale/possession of illegal fireworks during the days leading up to July 4. The team also works to educate the community about the dangers of illegal fireworks, including skyrockets and other explosives.
This year, the task force’s efforts resulted in:
- More than 800 pounds of illegal fireworks seized
- More than 150 responses to fireworks related calls
- Four felony arrests
- Nine misdemeanor arrests
- One seized firearm
“This cross-departmental team undoubtedly made Sacramento safer during what traditionally is known as the start of the summer fire season,” said Tim Swanson, Communications Manager for the City of Sacramento.
The task force consists of 14 Sacramento Police Department Officers/Supervisors and three Sacramento City Fire Investigators/Supervisors.
The team this year was assisted by Sac PD’s new helicopter, which helped to determine the location of people setting off illegal fireworks.
Despite the work of the task force, Sac Fire still had an exhausting Independence Day. It responded to 73 fire-related calls between 7 p.m. July 4 and 1 a.m. July 5, according to Sac Fire spokesman Capt. Keith Wade.