Seaside Police Crackdown on Illegal Firework Usage

FOURTH OF JULY IS TYPICALLY THE COPS’ BUSIEST DAY OF THE YEAR.

SEASIDE police had 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 M AP OF SEASIDE - TRYING TO PINPOINT EXACTLY WHERE ILLEGAL FIREWORKS ARE COMING FROM.

Mike Buffo is a Volunteer Drone Operator for the department.

"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, 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 A THOUSAND DOLLARS PER ILLEGAL FIREWORK.

AFTER YEARS OF HAVING TROUBLE ACTUALLY ENFORCING AND COLLECTING THOSE FINES - THINGS TURNED AROUND THE PAST COUPLE YEARS WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY PUTTING RESOURCES INTO COLLECTIONS.

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

SEASIDE HAD A REPUTATION AS BEING A PARTICULARLY CHAOTIC CITY ON THIS HOLIDAY … BUT ITS 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 absolutely say there's been a dramatic, difference in the noise. Complaints of fireworks."

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."

ANOTHER IMPORTANT SIDE OF FIREWORKS RESPONSE - 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, the department's animal control specialist.

"When they become in this freaked out mode, just like with us humans, we have a lot of adrenaline rush, going. So when we kind of just go, you know, the dogs will do the same thing if they get out and they keep hearing things, you know, they'll run one way here, another being run another way here, another being, and then just keep running and not realize where they're going."

HIS JOB IS TO TRACK DOWN ANY PETS THAT GET LOOSE - AND TRY TO GET THEM HOME. BUT TONIGHT - HE SAYS PLENTY ARE LIKELY GOING TO END UP SPENDING THE NIGHT AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT’S KENNEL.

EVEN THOUGH THE NIGHT STARTED QUIET - IT’S ALREADY STARTED TO HEAT UP - AND SERGEANT ENRIQUEZ AND EVERYBODY ELSE - SAYS THEIR GOING TO DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO RESPOND QUICKLY AND KEEP THINGS SAFE. 

BECAUSE WHILE LOTS OF FOLKS LOVE FIREWORKS - HE’S SEEN THINGS GO WRONG TOO MANY TIMES.

"There was a kid that got seriously hurt, there was a firework that exploded, and they got some serious injury to their face and eye, that was a pretty sad situation," said Sergeant Eddie Enriquez.

After 10 pm, the use of ay fireworks, even safe and sane, is illegal. Seaside implemented that curfew last year, and this year they are enforcing it.