The digital portal at this link is meant to send information directly to the City Prosecutor Office, shared with LBPD. City Prosecutor Haubert adds a candid digital caveat:if technical glitches appear with the public portal initially, "please be patient" as his office plans to update and improve the link over the next weeks.

City Prosecutor Haubert says he plans to provide an update in 72 hours on how the new tool is being used He thanked LBPD's four main division commanders (North, East, West and South) for providing addresses with fireworks activity and said, "Enforcement has started."

City Prosecutor Haubert said the laws are clear, but "due to the nature of the crime and the relatively large number of people setting off fireworks, it is extremely challenging for our police to catch violators in the act," prompting the two initiatives by his office.

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City Prosecutor Haubert says his office has also begun [release text] "sending letters to property owners where illegal fireworks are being discharged. The letters give notice that the storage or discharge of fireworks at their property is against the law and constitutes a public nuisance. Failure to prevent the continued firework activity after receipt of our letter may result in criminal charges under Penal Code section 373a. We have already begun sending out letters to owners and expect this to accelerate over the next few days."

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City Prosecutor Haubert noted that while all fireworks are illegal in Long Beach (including "safe and sane" items allowed in some cities), his office's focus [release text] "will continue to be on the dangerous fireworks that are unlawful throughout the State, including fireworks that are rocket launched and then detonated in the sky, and those that create a reverberating bomb-like sound. These fireworks create a serious fire danger and have a devastating effect on pets and person with PTSD."

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In his release, City Prosecutor Haubert said LBPD Commanders in each patrol division (Moth, East, West and South) had worked with his office and also credited "members of the community who have come forward to share their experiences and offer suggestions. There really is no way to curb illegal fireworks without involvement from the public."

His June 22 announcement comes one day before a June 23 City Council agenda item (previewed days ago by LBREPORT.com here) scheduled by Councilman Al Austin, joined by Councilmembers Mary Zendejas, Rex Richardson and Vice Mayor Dee Andrews that proposes actions on multiple fronts: (June 23 agenda item text).

• 1)Request City Attorney to draft an ordinance that would include a person who owns, rents, leases or otherwise has possession of a premises as a responsible party for the illegal use, discharge, possession, storage or sale of fireworks on the premises;

• 2) Request City Attorney and City Manager to report back to the City Council with options for increasing the penalties for anyone cited or arrested for fireworks violations;

• 3) Request City Attorney and City Manager to report back to the City Council on the feasibility of including an administrative citation process for illegal fireworks use, to allow for additional enforcement capability in Long Beach;

• 4) Request City Manager to assess the feasibility of establishing an online portal or GoLongBeach app feature for residents to submit video evidence of fireworks violations for referral to the City Prosecutor

• 5) Request the City Manager to assess the feasibility of using OpenData or crowdsourcing to create a publicly accessible heat map of incidents of illegal fireworks and explosives in Long Beach.

• 6) Request the City Manager to assess the feasibility of establishing a fireworks hotline for residents to report illegal fireworks and explosives.

• 7) Request the City Manager to provide an update on public education efforts this year that all fireworks are illegal in Long Beach.

The June 23 agenda item comes amid escalating detonations of explosives and mortar launched pyrotechnics (contraband statewide) shaking multiple neighborhoods (from NLB through Wrigley into Central LB). Impacted residents have begun sharing information and communicating the extent of the problem via "Long Beach Against Illegal Fireworks Facebook page.

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