Jun 27, 2008 10:52 pm US/Pacific
San Bruno Increases Fines Over Illegal Fireworks
SAN BRUNO (BCN) ―
In a clear statement to those planning on using illegal fireworks this Independence Day weekend, the San Bruno City Council on Friday evening adopted an ordinance that would increase citation fines for using or selling the illegal items even beyond what city staff had recommended.
City Manager Connie Jackson said the staff had recommended that the fees double, changing the first violation from $100 to $200, the second violation from $200 to $400 and each additional violation from $500 to $1,000.
But instead, the City Council decided to increase the first violation to $500 and each additional violation to $1,000, said Jackson.
The Council also asked city staff to increase notification to residents of the new fines and create additional materials that could be handed out with each fireworks purchase.
The City Council does not have the authority to completely ban fireworks, as the Watsonville City Council did, because residents voted for the ability to use "safe and sane" fireworks, Jackson said.
However, the Council does have the ability to strengthen fines for people using, or selling fireworks at times or places not sanctioned by the city.
"The Council is very much committed to a no-tolerance approach in the enforcement of its regulations," Jackson said Friday. "It takes very seriously the responsibility that it does have to monitor, regulate and enforce safe and sane fireworks."
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