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CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS COMMISSION AND INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL.” This ordinance included Section 12.25, which continued to prohibit the use of “Safe and Sane” fireworks within Redwood City. Despite these restrictions on fireworks, people still acquire and display fireworks, including “Safe and Sane” fireworks, within the City during holiday celebrations and other times of the year. Illegal fireworks use presents many challenges for both the Fire and Police Departments. There is an increased potential for fires and traumatic injuries through the mishandling of these devices and successful criminal prosecution is extremely difficult. While public safety staff strive to deter illegal firework use, especially around Independence Day, efforts to deal with the issue continue all year. Several factors make suppression via enforcement difficult. Illegal fireworks are easy to obtain from neighboring cities and counties. The sheer volume of violations at peak times, combined with the relatively minor penalties associated with most illegal fireworks use, makes it harder to gain voluntary compliance with the law. Using technology to detect illegal fireworks use has limited effectiveness, and successful prosecution requires residents to publicly identify individuals engaging in the illegal activity. These dynamics, and recent efforts to limit illegal fireworks use, are discussed further below. In the past, the Redwood City Police Department (RCPD) has tried a variety of enforcement approaches to curtail illegal fireworks use. The most basic approach was simply to increase the uniformed patrol presence during the peak hours on the Fourth of July. This was ineffective and RCPD was no more successful at overall suppression with increased staffing than it had been with standard staffing levels. Additionally, the Fire and Police Departments have deployed joint response teams in unmarked vehicles in an effort to leverage additional resources, but found this tactic no more effective than standard uniformed patrols. Further increasing staff for enforcement activities is not feasible due to competing demands. For example, Police staff and volunteers help support safe and festive events over a 16-hour period on July 4, providing service during a morning parade, afternoon festival and evening licensed fireworks display. Specialized enforcement teams to address illegal fireworks would delay responses to other calls for service. Redwood City bans the sale and use of all fireworks. Nearby cities such as Pacifica, San Bruno, Newark and Union City all allow the sale and possession of “Safe and Sane” fireworks, making them readily available to Redwood City residents and visitors. 8.B. - Page 2