San Bernardino County Fire launched a new Illegal Fireworks Reporting System. The dangers associated with illegal fireworks usage are enormous, as recently seen in the City of Ontario, where two lives were lost and over $3 million in damage caused to homes in the neighborhood.
The new Illegal Firework Reporting System offers another source for the public to report the use and sales of illegal fireworks. Once a complaint has been filed, local law enforcement will be notified for follow-up and investigation. All reports go into a database that will assist fire and law enforcement agencies in targeting the problem areas throughout the county, thus focusing patrol and interdiction resources on those specific areas. It only takes a few minutes and can be used anonymously.
“The use of illegal fireworks puts the public, our firefighters, and police officers at risk creating an unnecessary burden and additional cost to our communities,” stated San Bernardino County Fire Marshal Mike Horton. “This new county-wide reporting system is another tool that will assist us in getting illegal fireworks off our streets. By reporting the storage, sales, and use of illegal fireworks, you could be saving your own life, the life of a loved one, and those around you.”
Over the past four years, San Bernardino County Fire investigators alone have confiscated over 121,600 pounds of dangerous and illegal fireworks and issued more than 700 citations.
The possession and use of any type of fireworks, including “safe and sane,” are against the law in any unincorporated area of San Bernardino County. In the likely event a fire or injury occurs due to the unsafe or illegal use of fireworks, the responsible persons may face criminal charges and be held liable for damages. Property owners may also be cited if they allow fireworks to be possessed, stored, or used on their property.
Fire Marshal Horton went on to say, “We can’t go it alone. We need the public’s help in combating this growing crisis. I encourage you to get involved and make a difference.” The new reporting system can be found at www.sbcfire.org or directly at https://bit.ly/3rD7jyt.
