July 3 illegal fireworks results from intensive Sheriff Patrols

Published on July 04, 2024

On Wednesday night, July 3, Lakewood fielded a team of Deputy Sheriffs and city Public Safety Officers who patrolled city streets and responded to reports of illegal fireworks use.

Four citations were written (with fines up to $2,000) and 517 pounds of illegal fireworks were seized.

July 3 is traditionally a lighter night for illegal fireworks use and reporting, but Lakewood rolls out a strong presence against illegal fireworks that night in preparation for a bigger presence on July 4th itself.

If you see illegal fireworks in use on July 4th (or anytime), call the Lakewood Sheriff's Station at (562) 623-3500.

If you want to report a location that you believe is preparing to use illegal fireworks at some point later in the day, please report that using the Lakewood Connect App.

You can download the Lakewood Connect app from either the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

'Safe and Sane' fireworks

Lakewood, like many communities in California, allows the use of “safe-and-sane” fireworks approved by the State Fire Marshal on the day of July 4th only between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. 

‘Safe and Sane’ fireworks do not explode or go into the air and feature the State Fire Marshal seal on the packaging. Their sound does not travel far. And families can enjoy them responsibly as part of a fun…and safe…July 4th celebration. Their use also benefits Lakewood community groups that sell them at stands throughout the city between July 1-4. 

However, some people make the fateful decision each year to purchase and use fireworks that are illegal in California for personal use. These include skyrockets and explosives…all of which are illegal in California and dangerous to use…especially in highly populated residential neighborhoods like Lakewood where they can start slowly developing roof fires on nearby houses and traumatize pets and people, including veterans who may be suffering from combat-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The problem of illegal fireworks use has grown in recent years throughout California and the nation. It is not a Lakewood-specific problem. It doesn’t matter whether a community allows or disallows ‘safe-and-sane’ legal fireworks. The problem of illegal fireworks is the same in both types of communities.