AS FIREWORKS GO ON SALE, POLICE VOW USE CRACKDOWN.Byline: Angela Randazzo and Romi Jacobson Daily News Staff Writers Fireworks fireworks: see pyrotechnics. fireworks Explosives or combustibles used for display. Of ancient Chinese origin, fireworks evidently developed out of military rockets and explosive missiles and accompanied the spread of military explosives westward to - even the ones tagged ``safe and sane'' - are illegal in the Santa Clarita Valley The Santa Clarita Valley is the valley of the Santa Clara River in Southern California. It stretches through Los Angeles County and Ventura County. Its main population center is the city of Santa Clarita. The valley was part of the 48,612-acre (19,672. . But the restriction is tough to enforce when two neighboring cities readily sell the devices to any adult with the cash. Fireworks went on sale Sunday in Fillmore and Monday in Palmdale. Locally, officials announced plans for special patrols to fight the unauthorized use of fireworks this Fourth of July Fourth of July, Independence Day, or July Fourth, U.S. holiday, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Celebration of it began during the American Revolution. weekend. ``We'll do extra patrols and if we see anyone in possession of fireworks, we will confiscate To expropriate private property for public use without compensating the owner under the authority of the Police Power of the government. To seize property. When property is confiscated it is transferred from private to public use, usually for reasons such as them,'' said Sgt. Sonnenblick of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department This article is about the Los Angeles County Sherriff's Department, not to be confused with the smaller Los Angeles County Police The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) is a local law enforcement agency that serves Los Angeles County, California. . ``If the people do not comply with our request to stop setting them off, they run the risk of going to jail. The deputies have the option to not only confiscate, but to arrest the person.'' In Fillmore, about 30 miles west of Santa Clarita, city leaders believe the sale of non-explosive ``safe and sane'' fireworks offer an alternative to illegal imports from Mexico. ``If we don't provide safe and sane fireworks, people will set off big boomers, skyrockets and quarter-sticks of dynamite that can take off a hand,'' Fillmore Fire Chief Pat Askren said. The city issues permits allowing nonprofit community groups to sell ``safe and sane'' fireworks - ones that do not explode, dart or travel, and carry the California state fire marshal's safe and sane seal - from noon today to noon Monday. In 1993, the city raised the permit fee from $85 to $335, but that didn't deter nonprofit groups from snapping up the 25 permits available. Jerry Meehan, a fire prevention inspector with the Los Angeles County Fire Department Not to be confused with Los Angeles Fire Department. The Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD), serves unincorporated parts of Los Angeles County, as well as 58 cities and towns that choose to have the county provide fire and EMS services, including the City of La , offer this caution. ``If the safe-and-sane are used by adults, things should go all right,'' said ``A lot of times, that doesn't happen. We get people that get intoxicated in·tox·i·cate v. in·tox·i·cat·ed, in·tox·i·cat·ing, in·tox·i·cates v.tr. 1. To stupefy or excite by the action of a chemical substance such as alcohol. 2. then they can't judge as well and that's when accidents happen with the safe and sane fireworks.'' Also, parents may be held liable for any fire damages or injuries caused by their children using illegal fireworks. In the Antelope Valley, safe and sane pyrotechnics pyrotechnics (pī'rōtĕk`nĭks, pī'rə–), technology of making and using fireworks. Gunpowder was used in fireworks by the Chinese as early as the 9th cent. may be purchased and used only within Palmdale city limits, or in Kern County. In 1997, 38 percent of reported fireworks injuries in the state were attributed to the safe and sane variety, and 45 percent resulted from the use of illegal pyrotechnics, according to Capt. Chuck Dickson of the Kern County Fire Department. In 1997, eyes were the No. 1 body part injured, with hands and feet following. Injuries to children under age 7 are also on the rise, according to an annual survey conducted by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection For other uses of "CDF", see CDF (disambiguation). The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) or CAL FIRE is the State of California's agency responsible for the administration of the state's private and public forests. . CAPTION(S): 2 Photos PHOTO (1) Andrew Woodhead, left, and his brother Timmy check out a fireworks booth Monday. (2) Dana Woodhead and her son Oliver head back to the car after purchasing some fireworks. Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion