Pacifica Police Cite Five for Illegal Fireworks

Pacifica police issued five illegal fireworks citations during July 4 celebrations that attracted lighter than normal crowds to the city's streets and beaches.

The holiday landing on a Wednesday was cited as a key factor in the relatively quieter celebrations.

“Weekends (July 4 celebrations) tend to attract much bigger crowds,” Capt. Fernando Realyvasquez said.

Police in Pacifica cited four adults and one juvenile $1,000 for possessing illegal fireworks, Realyvasquez said.

Police received 96 fireworks-related complaints during a two-day period that began on July 3 (14 on July 3 and 82 on the Fourth of July), numbers Realyvasquez said were also down significantly over previous years.

Pacifica police saturated the city’s streets and beaches enforcing a for illegal fireworks on July 4.

Larger crowds strain police resources and often promote disorderly behavior, Realyvasquez said. The crowds also increase the likelihood of fireworks-related accidents.

No serious fireworks-related injuries were reported this year.

“In the past there have been times where we can’t drive down the middle of the street because there are so many people,” Realyvasquez said.

“When you have these large crowds, that’s when they tend to get unruly. Fortunately we didn’t have those crowds this year.”

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