On the heels of the largest wildfire in the city’s history, new enforcement tools are launching in Riverside to crack down on illegal fireworks.
The city says its will begin deploying small unmanned aerial systems, aka drones, to help police, firefighters and code enforcement teams detect and document illegal fireworks violations from the air.
The new program is made with last year’s Hawarden Fire still fresh in the minds of residents and city leaders.
The fire, which was the result of illegal fireworks, scorched 500 acres in the city, destroyed multiple homes and injured at least two people.
“We saw first-hand last summer how fireworks can cause catastrophic property damage,” Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson said. “The risk to lives and property is real, and the consequences for getting caught just aren’t worth it.”
Riverside has a blanket ban on all fireworks in city limits, including those that might be labeled “safe and sane” by other municipalities. City officials said these unmanned drones are part of a stronger stance to prevent fires, injuries and property damage, alongside increase community outreach and newly increased fines of $1,500 per violation.
Multiple operators will deploy drones in neighborhoods throughout the city. The devices are equipped with cameras that help authorities more accurately pinpoint where illegal fireworks are being set off.
Fines will be given out to homeowners where the illegal fireworks originated, even if it wasn’t the homeowner themselves who lit the fuse, officials said.
City leaders say lighting fireworks in the fire-prone city limits simply isn’t worth the risk or the damage to the community.
“Fireworks are dangerous to our community and also cause distress for our neighbors, our veterans with PTSD and our pets,” said Councilmember Jim Perry. “The Hawarden Fire is the biggest example of how destructive fireworks can be, but all our neighborhoods suffer when illegal fireworks are set off in our city.”
Instead of amateur fireworks shows with commercial fireworks products that offer paltry explosions and short bursts, the city instead encourages all residents to attend the free professional fireworks display shows at Mount Rubidoux and La Sierra Park on July 4 at 9 p.m.
In the days leading up to the holiday, and likely the days the follow, residents are urged to report illegal fireworks by utilizing the city website, the Riverside 311 app, or by calling 951-826-5311. Tips can be anonymous, officials said.
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