There won't be any weeklong pyrotechnics in Gardena this year, as officials have reduced the use of fireworks within city limits to July 4 only, officials said.
By a 4-1 vote last Dec. 10, the Council voted to restrict the use of legal fireworks in the City. The law would allow safe-and-sane fireworks to be used by consumers between noon and 10 p.m. on the Fourth of July.
There won't be any weeklong pyrotechnics in Gardena this year, as officials have reduced the use of fireworks within city limits to July 4 only, officials said.
By a 4-1 vote last Dec. 10, the Council voted to restrict the use of legal fireworks in the City. The law would allow safe-and-sane fireworks to be used by consumers between noon and 10 p.m. on the Fourth of July.
Citing the burden placed on the Gardena Police Department in responding to fireworks-related calls, the new ordinance could go some ways toward curbing the use of illegal fireworks around July 4, officials said.
Gardena Police Chief Ed Medrano and his department are calling for a community meeting to get feedback on all matters concerning fireworks.
The Community Meeting is planned for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, prior to the City’s regular Council meeting. Those interested can meet at the Gardena City Council chambers at City Hall, 1700 W. 162nd St.
Officials have not proposed a ban of fireworks in Gardena, as numerous non-profit groups are licensed to sell fireworks as an annual fundraiser.
Medrano is in favor of the new one-day fireworks use law as it would clarify the legal-illegal issue.
“Having legal discharge only on the Fourth would help cut out the use and help officers identify the use of any fireworks, because you don’t have to determine if it’s safe-and-sane or not,” Medrano was quoted as saying in a Daily Breeze story.
GPD responded to 75 calls of illegal fireworks on July 4.
Some believe that the restriction of one-day use will have no effect on discouraging the firing of illegal fireworks.
Police are open to feedback on the new one-day ordinance, controlling illegal fireworks use, and if the City should return to banning all fireworks.
