Santa Clara County officials working to curb illegal fireworks

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- With the Fourth of July around the corner Santa Clara County is taking steps to curb illegal fireworks.

All fireworks are illegal in Santa Clara County, including the safe-and-sane fireworks except in Gilroy, but that's not stopping people from setting them off across the county.

Officials have proposed a new ordinance that would give law enforcement a new target.

Fireworks are the stars of Fourth of July celebrations. In Santa Clara County, big community sponsored events bring out thousands of people, but illegal fireworks have become a big nuisance and danger.

That is why the board of supervisors proposed a new ordinance holding responsible not only the people lighting off the fireworks, but also the property owners. "We have places in the city of San Jose and other parts of Santa Clara County where it's an absolute epidemic and we get a lot of complaints and law enforcement can't keep up with responding with after the fact," Santa Clara County Supervisor Dave Cortese said.

"Not unlike the ordinance that if someone drinks at your house and gets into an accident you're responsible. If someone is using fireworks at your house and someone is injured, you're responsible," Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez said.

Fireworks injure more than 1,900 kids each year around the Fourth of July. Four people were injured last year in Santa Clara County including a San Jose boy who was seriously injured and his father arrested after fireworks exploded in their home.

Fires are also a serious concern especially during a drought.

Under the new ordinance, being a property owner where fireworks are illegally discharged could result in fines from $350,000 and possibly response costs. "It's a big problem and I think you'll see the city of San Jose and other cities taking up ordinances like this in the near future, Cortese said.