As the country gets ready to celebrate its 250th birthday, public safety officers throughout Monterey County are bracing for the challenges posed by the use of illegal fireworks.
The City of Salinas authorized 18 community groups out of 41 applicants to operate “safe-and-sane” fireworks booths for the 2026 season, according to Fire Marshal Christopher Knapp.
No fireworks may be discharged within 300 feet of a fireworks sales booth and nobody under the age of 18 is allowed to sell or participate in the sale of fireworks in Salinas.
Since June 1, signs have been posted throughout the city in 17 locations in English and Spanish reminding residents that only safe-and-sane fireworks purchased from approved nonprofit stands are allowed, while all other fireworks are prohibited. Fines for violations in Salinas start at $1,500.
According to the enforcement plan Knapp presented to City Council on April 7, roaming marked and unmarked patrol units will be deployed throughout the city during the July Fourth season and drone teams will monitor fire safety hazards. They will gather potential evidence of illegal firework possession and use.
“The goal is to gather evidence through video or photos, to then bring that evidence back and during the processing create administrative citations that are then mailed to the addresses we identify are using the illegal fireworks,” Knapp said.
Seaside similarly allows the use of safe-and-sane fireworks from noon on June 28 through noon on July 6, with a nightly 10pm curfew. (Seaside voters rejected a 2024 ballot measure that would have banned all fireworks, including the safe-and-sane variety.)
The Seaside Police Department plans to use drone surveillance in high-risk areas, Flock Safety cameras to identify involved vehicles and on-the-ground enforcement along with the fire department, according to a letter to Seaside property owners from the office of the city manager.
Both departments have already posted firework “hot spots” and patrol zones from past reporting data. In Seaside, these hotspots include Mescal Heights, Lincoln Cunningham Park and Highland Otis Park. As a new addition this year, Seaside police are offering a $50 reward for residents who help enforce illegal fireworks.
The use of any fireworks illegally, including outside of the permitted dates, may result in a $1,000 fine in Seaside.
Citations in both cities go to property owners, a strategy law enforcement says is working. “The landlord’s responsible for what happens on their property,” says Seaside Police Cmdr. Matt Doza. “Some landlords did pass the cost down to their tenants, and we are going to continue this year as well.”
Compass Church will host a celebration at the Salinas Sports Complex starting at 3pm on July 4 featuring music, food trucks and family events. A sanctioned fireworks and drone show will end