El Monte City Council Wants to Ban Fireworks in 2013

Although the El Monte Police Department had 17 extra police officers on duty on July 4th this year, and several on the days leading to it, the department received 147 calls for service from residents who could see neighbors using illegal fireworks. At least one hand injury was reported from an illegal shell explosion.

Police activity increased significantly from 2011, when the department received only 71 calls and gave only citation versus the 24 given this year. Some of it, said Police Chief Steve Schuster, may be the result of the banners that were passed out by the police in the days prior to the celebration encouraging residents to report any use of illegal fireworks. Whatever the reason, the police department was busy responding to the calls, but the activity became difficult because often family members covered for and hid those using illegal fireworks and the officers were not able to enforce the law.

Mayor Quintero is now spearheading the effort to ban all fireworks (“safe and sane” as well) in the city for the July 4th 2013 celebration. The Mayor was seen driving around the city this past July 4th pleading with his neighbors, “not as a Mayor but as their neighbor,” he said at the City Council meeting, to stop using illegal fireworks. What he heard back was: “Com’on! This is El Monte!” he added, and witnessed a complete disregard “for the neighborhood, the law, and law enforcement. I was very disappointed, and now I want the City Council to make a strong stand.”

The Mayor has supporters. During the public comment section of the meeting a resident called for the end of “this stupid archaic custom” that makes the city “look like world war four every year.” On the other hand, another resident brought up that the legal fireworks booths placed in the city allow charities to raise much needed funds and that, for some of them, the booth is the most lucrative fundraiser of the year.

Organizations like the Arroyo High School Band Boosters, which owned one of the 15 booths allowed in the city this year, would see its coffers affected if the City Council bans fireworks in El Monte. The money collected at its booth funds much of the activities of the Arroyo Knights Marching Band throughout the year. So would the Hope House, a non-profit organization that provides homes to children and adults severely affected by development disabilities, which ran a firework booth at the El Monte Moose Lodge this year.

The City itself would be affected by the elimination of the firework booths, as each of them has to purchase a permit and pays for insurance and a few other fees. Still, the incoming money has to be leveled with the expenses the City incurs when it pays for extra police officers, who must be paid premium pay plus holiday pay.

Mayor Quintero’s desire to ban all fireworks finds strong support from most members of the City Council. “I can care less how angry [people] get,” said Councilman Patel, talking about the residents that continue to use illegal fireworks knowing perfectly that it is against the law and who are aware of the difference between fireworks that are “safe and sane” and those that are not. The truth is that it is “way out of control in this community,” said Councilwoman Macias. “People are brazen and have no respect for law enforcement.” Councilwoman Martinez was the most inclined to research the option of having a City public “patriotic display” of fireworks that the community can enjoy if the use of fireworks is to be banned.

The City Council directed City Staff to prepare an ordinance to ban all fireworks from the city to have a first reading at the City Council meeting on July 31 and a second reading sometime in September. The City Council meeting on July 31 will be held at 7 pm at City Council Chambers, 11333 Valley Boulevard, El Monte.

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