Fireworks a hot topic in Simi Valley
Police establish hotline to help identify habitual offenders
By Miguel Morales miguel@theacorn.com

In hopes of avoiding a repeat of last year- when illegal fireworks were blamed for two devastating Simi Valley house fires- city, police and fire department officials are calling for a zerotolerance approach in dealing with offenders this Fourth of July.

Teaming up to enforce Fire Protection Ordinance 25 and Uniform Fire Code Section 7802, the Simi Valley Police and Ventura County Fire departments are encouraging residents to use a recently created fireworks enforcement hotline where callers can anonymously report anyone who sets off unauthorized fireworks or who has been known to do so in the past.

That hotline number is (805) 583-6151.

Police Chief Mike Lewis spoke at Monday's City Council meeting to spread the word about the new hotline, which the chief said will allow residents to notify police of habitual offenders in their neighborhood.

"Typically what we see are the same people who want to engage in illegal firework activity in their neighborhoods year after year- they do the same thing," Lewis said. "By the same token their neighbors probably know who they are and what's going to be taking place."

For this reason, Lewis said, residents are encouraged to use the hotline preemptively.

"What we're asking is for citizens to call in advance of the Fourth," Lewis said. "Then we will actually go out and make contact with the individuals at their residences and put them on formal notice so if we end coming back out on a subsequent phone call there will be no warning. A citation will be automatically issued."

Lewis reminded the public that possession of illegal fireworks can result in a fine up to $1,000 and/or a sentence of up to a year in jail, in addition to having the fireworks confiscated.

Last year, bottle rockets were blamed for house fires on Apricot and Geoffrey streets that occurred on July 4 and 5 respectively. Those arrested in the second fire were eventually charged with felony arson.

"We take very seriously the fact that two residences were burned down last Fourth of July," Lewis added. The police department "is really taking an aggressive stance on behalf of the city this year."

According to fire department officials, dry weather has made the use of fireworks- which are illegal in every city in Ventura County except Fillmore- even more risky this Independence Day.

Capt. Barry Parker of the Ventura County Fire Department told the Simi Valley Acorn that with the lack of rainfall in the area- less than 3 inches over the past five months- the steps being taken by law enforcement are critical.

"The law is the law and those who choose to break it will have to accept the consequences," Parker said

A large percentage of Fourth of July injuries and fires reported in past years are related to the illegal use of fireworks, he said.

And while some Ventura County residents may have disdain for the law, the consequences of not enforcing the regulation are far worse, he added.

"Being fined is something people are going to have to face if they choose to light off fireworks this year," Parker said. "That's only a minor inconvenience when you look at the lifetime consequences of losing a hand or burning down a house because of unlawful use of fireworks."

Parker admitted his department and the Simi police are working extra hard this year in part because of last year's house fires. The safest way for residents to enjoy the Fourth of July is attend fireworks displays held in their towns, he said.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 10,800 fireworks-related emergency room visits were recorded in 2005 alone and 6,500 of them occurred around the Fourth of July. Sparklers accounted for almost half of the injuries to children under the age of 5.

Officer Michelle Bertsch of the Simi Valley Police Department said she expects plenty of calls to the department's new fireworks hotline- especially the night of July 4, when the Rotary Club of Simi Valley holds its annual fireworks show.

"The department will already be stretched thin with the main fireworks event taking place at the Rancho Santa Susana Community Park," said Bertsch, who noted Simi police will have to double the number of officers on patrol for the holiday. "There are only so many officers to cover so much territory. It's going to be a long night."

Bertsch said the main threats are from bottle rockets and other fireworks that shoot into the air because they can travel great distances and if they land on a roof or in someone's lap, they explode almost immediately.

"Once they go off, it's already too late," she said.

Last year's fires were traced back to bottle rockets that landed on the roofs of homes, she added.

"Even with the ordinance in place there will still be people out there lighting off fireworks," Bertsch said. "There will still be accidents and there will still be people out there running around breaking the law. It's our job to make sure they're stopped."

At Monday's council meeting, Mayor Paul Miller said that there would be no warnings given to anyone caught with fireworks that fly or explode.

"Anyone who gets a ticket has no cause to complain because they've been duly warned," Miller said. + The possession and/or use of any fireworks- including sparklers- is illegal in the city of Simi Valley and unincorporated areas of the county.

+ Anyone found in possession of fireworks may face prosecution, with fines for fireworks violations averaging between $845 and $1,000, depending upon circumstances.

+ Residents who want to report the use of fireworks can call (805) 583-6151 and provide a tip anonymously.