Orange County Grand Jury
• 2007-2008
The Anatomy of Safe and Sane Fireworks Sales in Orange County
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 13 findings
F1
Not all cities that allow the sale of legal fireworks require applicants to show proof of a valid Seller’s Permit issued by the State of California Board of Equalization.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Require all fireworks applicants, as part of the permit application process, to show proof of a valid Seller’s Permit issued by the California Board of Equalization.
F2
Cities have varying requirements for legal fireworks applicant’s liability insurance amounts that need to be re-examined for appropriate coverage.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Require all fireworks applicants, as part of the permit application process, to show proof of current liability insurance in amounts not less than $1,000,000.
F3
Cities do not require legal fireworks sellers to file a post-sales report to the city documenting gross and net sales of fireworks detailing the manner and in what amounts the net profits are spent to benefit the community and ensuring that the cities receive their one percent share of the sales tax.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Require all fireworks applicants to file an accurate after-sales financial report with the city documenting gross sales and net profits of fireworks detailing the manner and amount in which the net profit is spent to benefit the community
F4
Cities do not provide sufficient information and encouragement to fireworks sellers to seek other methods of fundraising.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
Some cities are reluctant to put the issue of legal fireworks sales to the voters in their cities. 11
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Let the issue of legal fireworks sales be decided by the voters in each city.
F6
Some cities are reluctant to sponsor free public displays of fireworks or to solicit sponsoring partners from businesses or neighboring cities in lieu of the sale of fireworks.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Invite area businesses, civic groups and/or neighboring communities to join with the city to sponsor a public fireworks display in lieu of fireworks sales.
F7
Fireworks sellers do not share the financial burden of added law enforcement, fire safety and public works costs incurred by cities, in large part due to the sale of legal fireworks.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
Increase the permit fee to offset the extra costs of law enforcements services, fire services and public works in the enforcement of municipal codes and subsequent clean-up of debris of fireworks detonation in public areas.
F8
Cities do not require fireworks sellers to advise all purchasers that it is illegal to detonate legally sold fireworks in any area of Orange County other than in the incorporated city limits of Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Santa Ana and Stanton.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
Require all fireworks sellers to advise all purchasers, both verbally and in written form that it is illegal to detonate legally purchased fireworks in any area of Orange County, other than in the incorporated city limits of Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Santa Ana and Stanton.
F9
Safety officials cannot enforce all laws and municipal ordinances regarding the illegal use of legal fireworks due to the large volume of activity on the Fourth of July.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
The use of illegal fireworks is significantly greater in cities that allow the sale of legal fireworks.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
Declare a moratorium of fireworks sales for at least three or more consecutive years in the cities of Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and Stanton to allow law enforcement and fire officials in these cities the opportunity to curb the escalating use of illegal fireworks activity. (This recommendation arises from Findings F-9 through F-13) Responses to Recommendations R-1 through R-9 are required from the mayors of Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Santa Ana and Stanton. REQUIRED RESPONSES: The California Penal Code specifies the required permissible responses to the findings and recommendations contained in this report. The specific sections are quoted below: §933.05 (a) For purposes of subdivision (b) of Section 933, as to each grand jury finding, the responding person or entity shall indicate one of the following: (1) The respondent agrees with the finding. (2) The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefore. (b) For purposes of subdivision (b) of Section 933, as to each grand jury recommendation, the responding person or entity shall report one of the following actions: (1) The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action. (2) The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a timeframe for implementation. (3) The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a timeframe for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency when applicable. This timeframe shall not exceed six months from the date of publication of the grand jury report. (4) The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefore. 14
F11
The use of legal fireworks can mask the use of illegal fireworks.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
Declare a moratorium of fireworks sales for at least three or more consecutive years in the cities of Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and Stanton to allow law enforcement and fire officials in these cities the opportunity to curb the escalating use of illegal fireworks activity. (This recommendation arises from Findings F-9 through F-13) Responses to Recommendations R-1 through R-9 are required from the mayors of Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Santa Ana and Stanton. REQUIRED RESPONSES: The California Penal Code specifies the required permissible responses to the findings and recommendations contained in this report. The specific sections are quoted below: §933.05 (a) For purposes of subdivision (b) of Section 933, as to each grand jury finding, the responding person or entity shall indicate one of the following: (1) The respondent agrees with the finding. (2) The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefore. (b) For purposes of subdivision (b) of Section 933, as to each grand jury recommendation, the responding person or entity shall report one of the following actions: (1) The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action. (2) The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a timeframe for implementation. (3) The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a timeframe for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency when applicable. This timeframe shall not exceed six months from the date of publication of the grand jury report. (4) The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefore. 14
F12
Safety officials are of the opinion that legal fireworks sales should be banned in the interest of public safety.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
Declare a moratorium of fireworks sales for at least three or more consecutive years in the cities of Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and Stanton to allow law enforcement and fire officials in these cities the opportunity to curb the escalating use of illegal fireworks activity. (This recommendation arises from Findings F-9 through F-13) Responses to Recommendations R-1 through R-9 are required from the mayors of Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Santa Ana and Stanton. REQUIRED RESPONSES: The California Penal Code specifies the required permissible responses to the findings and recommendations contained in this report. The specific sections are quoted below: §933.05 (a) For purposes of subdivision (b) of Section 933, as to each grand jury finding, the responding person or entity shall indicate one of the following: (1) The respondent agrees with the finding. (2) The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefore. (b) For purposes of subdivision (b) of Section 933, as to each grand jury recommendation, the responding person or entity shall report one of the following actions: (1) The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action. (2) The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a timeframe for implementation. (3) The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a timeframe for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency when applicable. This timeframe shall not exceed six months from the date of publication of the grand jury report. (4) The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefore. 14
F13
Safety officials can significantly curb the use of illegal fireworks in these cities within three years if the sale of legal fireworks were banned. Responses to Findings F-1 through F-13 are required from the mayors of Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Santa Ana and Stanton. Responses to Findings F-9 through F-13 are requested from the police chiefs of the cities of Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Santa Ana and required from the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Department. Responses to Findings F-10 through F-13 are requested from the fire chiefs of the cities of Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Santa Ana and required from the Orange County Fire Authority. RECOMMENDATIONS In accordance with California Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, each recommendation will be responded to by the government entity to which it is addressed. The responses are to be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court. Based on the findings of this report, the 2007-2008 Orange County Grand Jury makes the following recommendations:
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
Declare a moratorium of fireworks sales for at least three or more consecutive years in the cities of Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and Stanton to allow law enforcement and fire officials in these cities the opportunity to curb the escalating use of illegal fireworks activity. (This recommendation arises from Findings F-9 through F-13) Responses to Recommendations R-1 through R-9 are required from the mayors of Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Santa Ana and Stanton. REQUIRED RESPONSES: The California Penal Code specifies the required permissible responses to the findings and recommendations contained in this report. The specific sections are quoted below: §933.05 (a) For purposes of subdivision (b) of Section 933, as to each grand jury finding, the responding person or entity shall indicate one of the following: (1) The respondent agrees with the finding. (2) The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefore. (b) For purposes of subdivision (b) of Section 933, as to each grand jury recommendation, the responding person or entity shall report one of the following actions: (1) The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action. (2) The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a timeframe for implementation. (3) The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a timeframe for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency when applicable. This timeframe shall not exceed six months from the date of publication of the grand jury report. (4) The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefore. 14
Agency Responses 7
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.