After chaotic 4th of July, San Francisco supervisor pushes escalating fines for illegal fireworks

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco could soon impose a graduated system of fines and penalties for people caught illegally discharging fireworks under a proposal introduced by Supervisor Alan Wong.

Wong presented the ordinance during a meeting of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee on Thursday, saying the measure would give law enforcement additional tools to address illegal fireworks activity that continues to be a challenge across the city.

Fireworks are illegal in San Francisco, but police were unable to confirm any arrests after fireworks were set off on multiple city streets during Independence Day celebrations on July 4.

"Our existing ordinance prohibits the conduct, but it does not provide a local infraction or misdemeanor penalty that police officers can use when they encounter someone actively discharging fireworks," said Carl Nicita of the San Francisco Police Department.

Wong said the proposal would establish escalating penalties for repeat offenders.

RELATED: Multiple people lose eyes, hands in illegal fireworks-related injuries in San Francisco

"Under the first infraction, they could get a penalty between $125 to $260 and the second infraction within five years, they could have a penalty $250 to 750. And it can be counted as a misdemeanor," Wong said.

The proposal comes after a particularly busy Fourth of July for the San Francisco Fire Department. Officials reported nearly 600 calls during a 24-hour period, almost 200 more calls than normal.

"With a busy period in the nighttime between nine at 9 p.m. and midnight, with 146 different incidents. There were 17 different grass fires. There were 55 small outside or trash fires," said Patrick Rabbitt, deputy chief of operations for the San Francisco Fire Department.

Supporters of the ordinance pointed to enforcement efforts in Sacramento, where officials fined people for illegal fireworks.

According to Sacramento fire officials, fines range from $1,000 to $10,000.

RELATED: SF police in riot gear crack down on 4th of July illegal fireworks shows

During this year's Fourth of July celebrations, the Sacramento Fire Department issued about $300,000 in citations. Officials said drone footage documented activity at one home that now faces $100,000 in fines.

"They just kept going for hours on end with multiple aerial fireworks. So, we were able to capture that with our drones, very clear footage. And mark in a Google map of exactly what house it was coming from," said Capt. Justin Sylvia of the Sacramento Fire Department.

Some San Francisco residents and community advocates said stricter enforcement is needed as fireworks continue to be set off for days after July 4.

"Headphones and earplugs are not a solution for people with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, children on the spectrum or animals. These tools simply don't work," said Jenny Perez of the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Council.

Others voiced concerns about the proposed enforcement approach.

"I have serious concerns about this ordinance, as it really only attacks the issue from an enforcement perspective, which I think has proven in many cases to be truly ineffective. Aside from the racial disparities, that will almost certainly come from an enforcement model like this one," said Justice, a San Francisco resident.

The ordinance will next move to the full Board of Supervisors in the coming weeks. Wong said he hopes it can take effect this year.