Fire chiefs and law enforcement gave an early warning about the dangers of illegal fireworks in San Joaquin County.
They are stepping up their crackdown with possible jail time and fines.
Fire chiefs stood behind 200 pounds of illegal fireworks that had been seized only last month as they pointed out the dangers they posed.
Over the last three years, illegal fireworks have become a major problem in San Joaquin County.
Sheriff Steve Moore says more officers will be on patrol searching for illegal fireworks like they did last year.
“We spent about $14,000 in overtime, we had 288 fireworks calls during that period of time, and then we had eight cases referred to the district attorney’s office for their action,” says Moore.
District Attorney Tori Verber Salazar says fines can go up to $50,000 and result in felony charges.
She says such fireworks are more than just a nuisance to many people.
“Children with disabilities, adults with PTSD, animals, all of these are impacted by these actions,” says Verber.
And while Safe and Sane fireworks are legal in many cities in San Joaquin County, no fireworks of any kind are allowed in the unincorporated areas.
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