(Nov. 3, 2015, 9:55 a.m.) -- After the worst July 4th in memory for bomb-like explosives and mortar launches illegal statewide, the three members of the City Council's (Mayor chosen) Public Safety Committee, chair Suzie Price, vice chair Daryl Supernaw and member Al Austin, have agendized an item for today's (Nov. 3) Council meeting proposing to "re-establish" a "Fireworks Steering Committee" [an internal city government creation] that the co-agendizers say "met on a regular basis" from March through July 4th this year creating [memo text] "public service announcements/video, press releases, distributing multilingual flyers, posting banners and signs, electronic messages, public education in schools, and notifying block party permit holders that fireworks are illegal "in an effort to be pro-active with fireworks education and enforcement."

The Council item asks that the group meet again next year from March through July 4th "to be pro-active with fireworks education and enforcement."

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[Agendizing memo text] In past years the City lead [sic] an effort to inform the public on the dangers of fireworks and that fireworks are illegal in the City. A Fireworks Steering Committee met on a regular basis beginning in the month March through the 4th of July holiday in an effort to be pro-active with fireworks education and enforcement. A number of City Departments participated in the committee including City Council, Harbor, Public Works, Fire, Police and Special Events and Filming. The committee was responsible for such tasks as creating public service announcements/video, press releases, distributing multilingual flyers, posting banners and signs, electronic messages, public education in schools, and notifying block party permit holders that fireworks are illegal.

RECOMMENDATION:

It is anticipated that the use of illegal fireworks will continue to be a problem throughout the entire City and educating the public on the dangers of fireworks needs to be a priority again. Therefore the City Council is requesting that the Fireworks Steering Committee reconvene starting in March of 2016 through the 4th of July holiday in an effort to be pro-active with fireworks education and enforcement.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no significant fiscal impact with the establishment.

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At a September 22 Public Safety Committee meeting (carried LIVE on LBREPORT.com), an agendized item sought a report "evaluating warnings and citations that were issued related to fireworks on the 4th of July holiday, as well as discuss possible changes that can be made in the future such as higher penalties, stepped up enforcement, and/or a public education campaign." The Committee heard, received and filed a report from LBFD's Deputy Fire Chief, indicating that for future holidays (including July 4th), LBFD and LBPD anticipate intensifying efforts by using social media, news releases, community outreach, handouts and information and LBFD would also spot check all block parties prior to the event checking on keeping police/fire access roads clear and distributing fliers.

The Committee also heard testimony from members of the public who stated that bomb-like explosives and mortar launches [not so-called "safe and sane" items available in nearby cities] had been worse than ever this year...and several individuals said they doubt fliers and announcements will be sufficient and urged stronger measures to address the magnitude of illegal activity.

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Deputy Chief Brandt told the Committee in September that LBFD and LBPD have a "conceptual plan" in place to increase patrols and enforcement a week prior to July 4th. Patrols will target areas known for historic use of fireworks and will educate these communities of consequences for illegal pyrotechnics. "The end result will be an increase in the number of contacts and a larger window of opportunity to confiscate and mitigate the possession and use of fireworks," Deputy Chief Brandt said, adding added LBFD is willing to commit additional arson staff to accompanying LBPD teams in these activities. "These plans are currently limited by personnel and budget," he said.

Deputy Chief Brandt added, "More can and will be done in terms of outreach every year as well as starting earlier."

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Public speakers on Sept. 22 included Jack Smith (now 1st dist. resident) who said he believes the time period for increased outreach is still too limited since bombs (his word) were heard for months before July 4th, calls it urban terrorism. Mr. Smith voiced doubts about outreach alone, saying he can't imagine those setting off fireworks are reading fliers or checking city's Facebook page...and are more likely to be impressed if some "are nailed and suffer some sort of significant consequence" (enforcement) so word of mouth on the street deters their activity.

1st dist. resident Gary Shelton also cited aerial bombs going off (not "safe and sane," illegal for private use anywhere in CA.)

Long time Wrigley resident Maria Norvell said the agenda item was very important to her, and this year beginning in May, she had to start giving her dog tranquilizers. She reiterated that the proper term to use was "bombs" and this year was the worst ever.

Los Cerritos area resident John Deats said 2015 was worse for illegal fireworks -- meaning bombs, M80s, cherry bombs, mortars -- by an order of magnitude (by 10 times.) Mr. Deats said he heard/saw bombs launched well before July 4th in the Naples area...and criticized the Council for failing to give LBPD additional resources to deal with the issue (adding that Shotspotter [a digital gunfire location system] might have been a good option. Mr. Deats also suggested bringing in County, state and federal agencies since the type of fireworks LB experienced are illegal statewide and would have to be smuggled in huge quantities.

Councilman Austin noted that the Council had previously considered [an item he'd agendized] allowing "safe and sane" fireworks [which the Council declined to advance at that time.] Councilman Austin said that if one doesn't open the door for safe fireworks, one creates a market for unsafe fireworks, and said the fact that LB has absolute ban on safe and sane fireworks needs to be reevaluated.

Although the Committee "received and filed" the report and didn't advance any recommendation(s) to the full Council in September, the Council item agendized by all three of the Committee's members tonight effectively brings the matter to the Council for discussion and possible action.

As also previously reported by LBREPORT.com, the Sept. 22 Public Safety Committee meeting also received and filed (took no action on) a report from LBPD on "recent shooting activity in the City"...an issue that to date no Council member(s) has brought forward for discussion or action.

LBREPORT.com will (as always) carry tonight's City Council meeting LIVE on our front page, starting at 5:00 p.m. .

Developing.