California cities are leveraging drones to patrol for illegal fireworks and issue fines, marking a significant shift in public safety enforcement measures during the July 4 holiday. The Sacramento Fire Department’s special fireworks task force, operating from Wednesday to Saturday night, has been utilizing unmarked cars and drones to target neighborhoods with prior complaints about fireworks use. Officers and the drones have been capturing photographic evidence of illegal activity, with property owners potentially facing fines in the mail within 30 days.
Sacramento has escalated the fines for illegal firework use this year, imposing a $1,000 penalty for the first offense and increasing the fines to $2,500 for the second, with subsequent offenses carrying hefty fines of $5,000 each. The fines escalate to $10,000 per firework if used on city property such as parks or schools, with no limit to the number of fines that can be issued. This year, the city has already prepared around 60 citations, with more expected as fire officials review collected surveillance footage.
Other cities across the state, including Indio, Riverside, Hemet, Brea, and towns in Tulare County, have also announced their plans to use drones for identifying individuals who violate fireworks bans. Last year, a Sacramento-area resident faced a $100,000 fine for illegal firework use, setting a precedent for the severity of enforcement measures. The use of drones has not only enhanced the ability to monitor fireworks use but also provided evidence for legal action, which could deter future violations and improve public safety.