UNION CITY — Spotting illegal fireworks on July 4 is relatively easy, police say. But sorting through crowds of onlookers to figure out who should be cited for setting off the explosives isn't.
A proposed law before the City Council tonight could make it simpler for officers to crack down on illegal fireworks.
Rather than figure out who set off the fireworks, police would be able to cite the property owner.
Administrative citations range from $100 for the first offense to $500 for the third offense in a single year, Chief Greg Stewart said. Police could cite the owner on site or send citations in the mail.
"This gives us the teeth to cite the property owner and make them responsible for what happens on their property," Stewart said.
Union City permits "safe and sane" fireworks, but outlaws riskier fireworks that explode and rocket skyward.
A lot of the illegal activity, police have found, occurs outside single-family homes where large crowds gather to view the fireworks.
"The problem we're having is that in these large groups we don't see who sets them off," Stewart said. "Without seeingthem or a witness coming forward, we couldn't cite them."
The new law would be aimed at residential property owners, Stewart said. Owners of industrial sites or large parking lots wouldn't face penalties.
For apartment or condominium complexes, the police would have the latitude to cite a tenant or owner Gilroy, which passeda similar law last year, issued 30 administrative citations, Stewart said.
Union City issued 22 citations last year for illegal fireworks under the current rules, which require that police cite only those caught setting off the fireworks.
One thing won't change in Union City this July 4, Stewart said. As in other years, the entire department will be on duty.
A proposed law before the City Council tonight could make it simpler for officers to crack down on illegal fireworks.
Rather than figure out who set off the fireworks, police would be able to cite the property owner.
Administrative citations range from $100 for the first offense to $500 for the third offense in a single year, Chief Greg Stewart said. Police could cite the owner on site or send citations in the mail.
"This gives us the teeth to cite the property owner and make them responsible for what happens on their property," Stewart said.
Union City permits "safe and sane" fireworks, but outlaws riskier fireworks that explode and rocket skyward.
A lot of the illegal activity, police have found, occurs outside single-family homes where large crowds gather to view the fireworks.
"The problem we're having is that in these large groups we don't see who sets them off," Stewart said. "Without seeingthem or a witness coming forward, we couldn't cite them."
The new law would be aimed at residential property owners, Stewart said. Owners of industrial sites or large parking lots wouldn't face penalties.
For apartment or condominium complexes, the police would have the latitude to cite a tenant or owner Gilroy, which passeda similar law last year, issued 30 administrative citations, Stewart said.
Union City issued 22 citations last year for illegal fireworks under the current rules, which require that police cite only those caught setting off the fireworks.
One thing won't change in Union City this July 4, Stewart said. As in other years, the entire department will be on duty.