San Jose officials propose tough ordinance on fireworks

SAN JOSE (KGO) -- Today, San Jose officials introduced a tough new ordinance that would expand the number of city workers who could enforce fireworks laws.

You have fire danger, the threat to people, and fireworks are just plain noisy for neighborhoods. This proposed ordinance could make it easier for the city to try to stop the explosions.

San Jose is a booming city in more ways than one.

"We've heard about from our residents loud and clear that they're very concerned about the use of these illegal fireworks," said San Jose Vice Mayor Rose Herrera.

Stopping illegal fireworks was the goal behind Thursday morning's news conference with Mayor Sam Liccardo, council members and police and fire officials. They are getting behind a proposed ordinance giving authority to more city workers to give citations to people possessing or using illegal fireworks.

"We couldn't possibly put enough officers out to stop all the fireworks. We want to be able to leverage administrative processes using fines, using administrative sanctions and using many of our employees who are not sworn," said San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo.

If the city council has set this issue as a top priority for San Jose at its next meeting, the proposed ordinance would authorize another 80 or so park rangers, code enforcement and community service officers to write citations for fireworks violations -- treating it as a nuisance case with no need for an eyewitness from an officer or firefighter.

Fines are up to a $1,000 with the possibility of more for repeat offenders and large quantities of fireworks. During June and July of last year, the city received more than 2,000 fireworks complaints.

"It gets worse every year. Last night there were explosions going on after 11 p.m. I was like -- can we please go to sleep now?" said Rowan Fairgrove, San Jose resident.

City leaders say they are providing an alternative for residents. Three professional fireworks shows are taking place in San Jose over the July 4th holiday.