Sheriffs Dept, CalFire Busy Over July 4th Holiday
The numbers are in and the County of Riverside was busy dealing with illegal fireworks over the 4th of July holiday.
During the week of July 1st 2024, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office received a total of 2,538 calls and online reports, compared to 3,209 reports received last year. More than 400 pounds of fireworks were confiscated, and 10 arrests were made.
This year, a 88 citations were issued by the County’s Code Enforcement department, while the Sheriff’s Department issued 190 citations. Last year, 46 citations were issued by Code Enforcement and 187 were issued by the Sheriff’s Department.
The Riverside County Fire Department reported a decrease in fires during the July Fourth holiday weekend. The department received more than 730 calls for service, with 102 of those being fire related, resulting in the department issuing six citations for illegal use or possession of dangerous fireworks, unlawful off-road use, and unlawful burning. In comparison to 2023, Riverside County Fire Department received just over 680 calls for service, with 186 of those being fires, and 23 citations issued.
The county’s annual “If You Light It, We’ll Write It” campaign highlights the harmful nature of illegal fireworks on individuals, animals, and property. The educational effort aired across multiple media channels, including digital billboards, community newspapers, radio broadcasts, streaming audio, social networks, and online display ads in both English and Spanish. The campaign successfully delivered 18.5 million impressions across traditional and digital media channels reaching millions of Riverside County residents.
The County of Riverside remains committed to maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment for all residents. By combining enforcement, education, and community engagement, neighborhoods are being protected from the dangers of illegal fireworks.
Illegal Fireworks warning sign from the Riverside County Fire Dept.
Sign Courtesy of Riverside County Fire Dept. Hotline is 800-950-2444
