A look behind-the-scenes at Seaside’s 4th of July fireworks enforcement

SEASIDE, Calif. (KION) - One of Seaside Police's focuses this past 4th of July was fireworks enforcement.

In Seaside alone, they’ve got dozens of patrols, as well as FLOCK camera technology, and drone pilots on the lookout.

At the operational command center in Seaside, officers and firefighters monitor a map of Seaside, trying to pinpoint exactly where illegal fireworks are coming from.

"Well, we saw some smoke in the air and, once we see that, we flew over to the target area, and now, we're checking it out, just surveying this to see if they're going to do any more," said volunteer drone operator Mike Buffalo. "But hopefully, hopefully, the mere presence of the drone will keep them from lighting up more fireworks because nobody wants a ticket right?,"

Citations are 41,000 per illegal fireworks. After years of enforcement troubles and collecting fines, things turned around in the past couple of years, with a stronger focus on collections by the city attorney.

"In the last two years, we've already collected as a city over $50,000 in fines," Seaside Police Chief Nick Borges said.

Borges continued to say that Seaside had a reputation as being especially chaotic on the 4th of July, but that reputation starting to turn around.

"I'm just shocked. I've been here almost 23 years. I've never heard it this quiet in the city of Seaside with fireworks up to now. We'll see how the night goes. But up to this point, I can say there's been a dramatic difference in the noise complaints of fireworks," said Chief Borges.

Sergeant Eddie Enriquez was also surprised while driving around on patrol that he wasn’t responding to any illegal fireworks calls.

Granted, this was still before sundown.

"It’s possible that this year people have really gotten the word that its a hefty fine and they dont want to get fined such a large amount and they’re deciding to do the right thing," said Seaside Police Sergeant Eddie Enriquez.

Another important side of fireworks enforcement is looking out for scared pets.

"You know, as people are having more and more fun and don't get freaked out from some fireworks. Sometimes gates get left open, and then they end up escaping, and that's when I come in," said Alex Kjellgren, Animal Control Specialist for Seaside Police Department.

His job is to track down any pets that get loose and try to get them home safe and sound. But on nights like the 4th of July, Kjellgren says plenty are likely going to end up spending the night at the police department’s kennel.