The Stockton City Council is hoping to turn down the volume on the Fourth of July by clamping down on illegal fireworks. Tuesday's council meeting could call for higher costs for vendors and bigger fines for offenders.
Illegal fireworks have been a major problem over the last few years. The fine for setting them off, selling, or possessing is $250, but new regulations call for upping that to $1,000.
The council will also consider funding more police and firefighters on the streets around the Fourth of July to enforce the law.
Stockton Police Officer Joe Silva says that could make a difference.
"If people are out there shooting off illegal fireworks and if they know the fines are increasing, and there’s going to be more officers and firefighters on this task force that’s going to start earlier, hopefully, that will act as a deterrent," says Silva.
The new regulations would also double the amount non-profit vendors would pay for selling safe and sane fireworks.
Also, more money for a city-sponsored-fireworks show downtown is proposed to discourage illegal pyrotechnics exploding in the neighborhoods.
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